Wade sat there, a little perplexed. He did not move a muscle or show the slightest emotional response from the Governor's words. Buddy and Mikhail sat quiet not sure what to say
"That was easy."
The High Governor, making himself another cup of coffee, a small smirk, almost a smile breaks across his face. "Do you not trust me? Or perhaps you are thinking your offer a bit small now? Want more - say two suites in the tower? Credits for you and your men - lets say 10,000 to start, another 25,000 when my daughter stands here, in this room", the High Governors voice grows louder, his wife's hand reaches out for Dean's arm to calm him.
"I forget my place - excuse me Mr. Wade. You see while Hioceans might seem a tad emotionless I assure you we still feel loss, pain and at times regret. I would do anything - send in anybody - to find her, if I could."
Wade jaunts a look over to Mikhail - Buddy seem still a bit unnerved by the easy success of the barging. Dean Gul stands and walks over to a large portrait of his daughter, always sipping his coffee. "You are right Wade; your demands would have been met probably no matter the cost to me. But I have good reason, I always have reason". The High Governor strides across the room as if giving a conference on the matter at hand.
"Chances are you will not survive so the bargain is moot for me. Not the best answer for either party since it leaves you dead and me without a daughter. Being the High Governor brings with the position certain luxury and freedom but only with it responsibility and customary dictates - as such my first duty is to our station here, my position and loyalty to the Hioceans people. So while I would love to send in a garrison of my highly trained soldiers I am forbidden to do so. Our treaty with Earth forbids me sending in troops into open hostility even for one of my own kind. Even side stepping these obstacles I still face the Hioceans governing body - which would not allow such use of military resources on a mission of such a personal nature. You see Mr. Wade I have little or no choice in my options."
Governor Dean takes the sit opposite from Wade, staring with his piercing eyes, looking for any sign of hesitation.
"Most importantly for you Mr. Wade - you fit in, you blend. Your group here has the dirt and grime camouflage to succeed where my crack units would fail. You look and smell like them, your talk, your weapons, your manner. Yes I have soldiers and men of greater caliber and talent but they would be notice a thousand miles away. You're perfect by being imperfect."
"I guess that is a compliment in some left field way - everything but the smell part. You want us to do your dirty work. How do I know you will keep your word if we do come back?"
Ellen Gull stands, enrage "How dare you! The High Governor asks…" Dean waves a hand and Ellen stops and sits.
"No insult intended mam', High Governor, but as two old soldiers trust I shard to come by, sometimes a man's word is as useful as the French army. I just want to sure to cover my back and my partners."
"No offense taken Wade" Governor Dean strolls about the room like man with too much energy for this own good. "And I have my own insurances policy on you. Two of my men will accompany you, they will follow your lead but one miss-step, one action that places my daughter in danger they will have the command to act."
Mikhail, Buddy and Wade were not prepared for this news at all. "Wait one second - we don't need any help. We have being just fine - I don't need a corporate lawyer heeling me", Wade grumbles.
"I am afraid you have no choice Mr. Wade. Mister Krill will accompany you, along with one other of his choosing. They are my insurance policy and as such not open to debate. Krill will also act as my liaison on this matter as mentioned before it would be out of line for a man of my position to be talking to you. Krill has all the authority to act on my behalf. That is the deal Mr. Wade - accept or decline?"
Wade knows when he has been painted into a corner, fight or flight. Wade extends his hand for a gentlemen's handshake. Dean Gul looks almost confused. "Oh yes, this old custom - shaking of ones hand for assurance". The two shake.
"We will get your daughter back home" Wade mutters in his most reassuring voice.
Krill enters from the foyer. "Krill will see to your needs and supplies in High town. I assume you will need some time to get ready so make all haste. Now if you can excuse me and my wife have other matters to attend to. Ellen - if you would see our guests out. Good luck Mr. Wade." Dean Gul gives one more passing glance at Krill before exiting, Wade is probably reading way too much into it.
The group walks towards the elevator, Mikhail and Buddy shaking each other hands mocking Wade. Buddy, in broken English, "You need a man hug Wade?"
"Shut up" Wade mutters as the climb aboard the private elevator to head down.
In the lobby of the great tower Krill starts handing out badges. "These will get you around town; show them where they ask for them. DO NOT LOSE THEM, they are your lifeline while here in High town. You are not here for the entertainment - we will meet at 6 am. Please be on time."
Krill starts to jaunt away, almost in disgust.
"Wait one second Krill", Wade stopping Krill in his tracks. "What?" Krill barks back.
Wade not too pleased with his deposition. "Well we are going to need a few things for our vacation out of here. And these badges - will they take us to Middleton as well?"
Krill ponders the question. "Yes - these will take you any where you want but why you would want to go down there…never mind. Make a list of you wants and I will have them ready - Now is there anything else?"
"No I guess not" Wade exhaled. Krill was off, in a whirlwind of a flash. "Not much of a talker huh? Mikhail places his arm around Wade, "Well gentlemen I guess the night is ours? What first dinner? Beer? Women?"
Wade smiles but it fades quickly, looking more focused at Mikhail and Buddy, "Listen up, I want you to go somewhere for me, there is a place in Middleton, a bar to be precise." Mikhail's face lights up at the mention of a bar. "Old Man Murphy owns it's, I want you…"
"Old man Murphy - mad man Murphy. I thought he was dead?" Mikhail interrupts.
"No, not dead, apparently smarter then you. He came up here and saved for a few years and bought this bar, called The Celtic Cross. Tell Murphy who you are, give him my name, and start making the lists - ok OK?" Wade trying to get an affirmation out of the two.
"Ok boss" Buddy got out - "Where will you be?"
"Oh don't worry about me Buddy, I want to do some research before we go. I figure this must have a library or something - I want to know anything I can about this crater before I go put my neck on the line". The separate but before they are out of ear shot Wade shouts "And keep Buddy off the juice".
Wade watches as the two leave and heads toward the entrance. Just before him a soft voice echoes off to his right. "Mr. Wade - please a minute". To his amazement there stands Ellen Gul. "Sorry to catch you like this but I needed to speak to you before you left and without my husband. You see…"
Wade shuffles her to the dimmer light, away from the crowd. "What is it Mrs. Gul?" Wade tries to be comforting to little avail.
"My daughter is very important to me and my husband; I want you to know this. I don't want you to believe for one minute Dean, the High Governor would not do anything to save his daughter. I don't want you to have a bad opinion of him - he has many responsibilities and you see - it's hard of a man of power to show that side, especially for Hioceans."
"It's ok Mrs. Gul. I understand the mission and I will do everything I can to bring back your daughter." Wade is getting better at comforting as a warm smile crawls across Ellen Gul's face.
"I know you will try - I have faith in that. Now take this," She pulls out a small necklace, silver bands with a pendent attached at the bottom with a bright green stone. "It was hers; I gave it to her right before…" Ellen Gul voice tightens up and tears fill her eyes. "She is all I have Mr. Wade, bring her back." Her hands tighten around Wades own, squeezing them.
"There is something else, something I am not sure even Dean is aware of, maybe I shouldn't, it's just that. Our daughter was, what is the word I am looking for, involved, no, she was…"
"Friendly with a man, a boyfriend?", Wade injected.
Ellen's first real smile. "Thanks for being modest, this man was older then she and neither one of us are ready for this, parents never are, but they were quite the couple-but under the radar they say. I am afraid Dean would have none of it; well I am afraid he is gone and done something rather impetuous on his part - he went to find her. Almost three weeks ago and nobody has heard from him. I am afraid he has meet a fate a dare not think about. Dean thinks he merely is traveling the region but I know he went for her. I just thought you would need to know that."
"She is my eldest and she just turned eighteen, so head strong - stubborn to a fault. We await her sister now" Ellen stroking her belly.
Wade embraces her hands, this time a soft repose, "I will do everything I can to bring her back-that I promise to you. Either alive or…I will bring her home".
Ellen Gul composes herself. A cold stare remerges "And Mr. Wade one more bit of advice from an aging actress - Do not trust Krill, or his kind, his interest lie outside my daughters or your. It might be from my days in Hollywood but he smells and acts like too many agents I have known - dirty and two faced, watch your back."
Wade ponders this new news. "Thank you. " Ellen Gul slips away unnoticed in the crowd while Wade stands there clutching the necklace. "What exactly have I gotten myself into old boy?" Wade exits.
The High Governor enters a darken room, only a small slit allows for light. One side of the room glows from a wall of monitors and computers. Dean enters and begins watching them, jumping from one to the, scanning at a fantastic pace.
Behind him, cloaked in shadows sits another man, his face obscured. "Well did Mr. Wade accept the deal?" a dark, gnarly voice breaks the silence.
"Yes, of course, he would have been a fool not to - we gave him everything, and then some", Dean rumble back. "They leave tomorrow."
"Well done. The Committee does not look upon these acts with the same disposition I do. They will not tolerate another failure. Do not forget our true objectives here Dean."
"I have not forgotten and do not forget your place among me and my people", Dean barked back, highly annoyed at the veiled threats.
"And Krill?" the voice beamed back without hesitation.
Dean, staring in the darkness, trying to find eyes if the shape had any. "Krill has his orders, they are very clear. He will follow through with the objectives as planned."
The Celtic Cross bar, Middleton. The bar is the total opposite of Low Town Tavern. Polished, birch wood decorates every inch, chrome accents, sweet smell of fresh beer and food. And best part no blood on the floor, or walls, or seats - no blood anywhere.
Mikhail and Buddy have nestled in a back booth. Lorn's might be common in many places but not here, not to every day folk. Fearing any unrest Mikhail pick a place a distance from the foot traffic.
Standing before them is Mad Murphy, a long gangly Irish fellow that could have played basketball in the day but now looks like an aging Tom Hanks. No grease stained apron, no ashes in the food - Murphy is all class down to his velvet vest and the ivory handle pipe he smokes from.
"I cannot believe you own this place", Mikhail laughs out while sipping another brew. "How is that possible? You are the same person I saw eat dirt to live!"
Murphy shakes off the ribbing, "Appearances can be deceiving young master, I ate dirt to make you think I was mad, and it worked to didn't it? Ahh, I did a lot of things most men would vomit at but while all of you were making fun you know what - I earned a dollar or two. No government agents for me - they all thought I was crazy and who wants hassle an old bean like me. Yea, I ate some dirt, but now I am living off steak. How crazy is that?" Buddy chomps down another tasty bite of the thick steak.
"I never feel for the act", Wades voice echoes from behind. "Crazy people would have had seconds". Murphy turns and smiles then gives Wade a bear hug.
"Well look who all grown up and playing soldier boy, I swear I would never see this day, if my pecker isn't ten inches long - having you three here, right now. Color me dead - Doris, hey Doris, bring my boys all the bear and food they want - it s on the house."
Wade and Murphy settle into the booth. "Alright boys, tell me what brings you here and don't tell me it's for the sigh seeing". Murphy asks bluntly.
"Big mission", Buddy blurts out without thinking. "Yea, big mission, one that can…" Mikhail starts. "One that could change our fortunes Murphy, just like you", Wade finishes, "We are heading towards the Crater."
Murphy's eyes grow as large as saucer, he takes out the pipe, and his smile turns to a frown. "The Crater! - and you call me mad? The crater is not a vacation spot you know? What has the crater got Low Town is missing?"
"The Governors daughter", Wade softly states, "we are going after her, apparently one of the Gov's old boys had a falling out and kidnapped her. He wants us to get her back."
Murphy takes several deep puffs from the pipe, "and what is your life worth for this quest?"
"Two sky suites and enough money to buy a bar like this - only in High Town." Wade smiles, Buddy and Mikhail toast the idea.
Murphy deadpans, "Many men I have known, sitting in this bar, talked of the crater and are never seen again. That place is a dark place - a dark mark on this land, mind me boys when I say this to you, the Crater is not a place for the living, its place to go for dying."
"It gets worse", Wade bringing to the table stacks of paper, "I give you the public library or at least what they call it here. Did some research on this place and it's not fun reading. Basically the Crater, as it is commonly known, came into existence when a Hiocean ship was destroyed in the atmosphere and crashed landed near Chicago, upon impact is nuclear engines rupture and exploded, taking a good part of Chicago with it along with only about 5 million people. They stopped counting at 5 million at least. And that was the good part."
Mikhail and Buddy are fascinated by all of it. Wade passes around archive images of the destruction and aftermath.
"Beyond the death and destruction associated with this type of disaster our own special government decided it was far too dangerous to pursue a course in which to rebuild the area, be as it was in the middle of a war. They simply made the area off limits and quarantined it - living all those left alive to suffer within. Nice huh"
"So, years pass by and inside this hell you have generations of mutations and god knows what else. We know people lived and continue to call the Crater home for no other reason then that is where they have lived all their life. The land is forever marked in fall out and ionic storms, flash foods. They make their living by piracy and black market deals. Now this was all well and good since it only happens in the Crater. Along comes our High Governors pal - Nor the Soldier."
"Nor comes in and takes over, like a mobster, rubs out anybody opposing his rule and unifies the rest of the clans into his own private army. Now, according to the history books the worst happen during this period of unrest - the Crater became a war within a war."
Wade drinks another beer, "Now starting about the time our Governor takes command things change within the Crater. No longer satisfied with living from within the boundaries Nor's men start to conduct raids outside the Crater - first small then bigger and bigger. And in one of Nor's most aggressive acts strikes nearly 1000 miles away with the apparent kidnapping of Dean Gul's daughter."
Wade relaxes; Mikhail and Buddy look a bit worried. Murphy can only shake his head in disbelief of his friend's mission.
Murphy sucks on his pipe, "I heard one story, not sure how true, must have been five or six years ago, a ship of missionaries from the coast decided it was gods will they go to this Crater and reform its people. So they filled their ship of supplies and bibles and off they went - singing hymns and all that righteous shit. Nothing ever is heard from again. Then, a week later here comes their ship barreling into New Chicago, ZOOM and BANG! Smacks right into downtown. Now everybody is in an uproar and the authorities come and they realize it's the missionary's vessel. They open that ship and what do they find. Jesus Christ - just the insides of the missionaries, mind you not their skin, just everything else. A bible pin to their hands like they were praying. In blood, written across the ships hull…"To Whom It May Concern, God does not exist in the Crater". Let me tell you boys, if Gods won't go there why you should?" Murphy gets up and leaves to attend to the bar.
Wade downing another round, "Well story or not there has not been any military action in the Crater for awhile now. Even the military won't venture in. This place is not holy ground for anybody except Nor so we have to go by the book on this one - one misstep, and we are thought to be working for the governor or anything not Nor related we are dead men. Any ideas?"
Mikhail, "Yea, let's go home", Buddy smiles and nods in agreement.
"I think we need to really think about this - what will keep us alive in there because I sure don't expect Krill to lend a hand but I thought he, or his special talents might come in useful at times. But we have got to watch Krill and his lanky, I am sure of one thing Krill has no problem leaving us for dead." Mikhail and Buddy nod in agreement.
"Ok what about the lists?" Mikhail hands over the scraps of paper, "Yea this will do, let's see if Krill can get it available, and make him work for that suite in the sky right boys".
"You think any Lorns' inside the Crate?" Buddy spits out.
"Not sure but we aim to find out. If you are worried about appearances old friend I do not think this place is too uptight on lineage or family status but Nor is a Hiocean so anything can happen. But with Mikhail and me watching your back I think you'll be fine."
Murphy walks by and Wade asks. "Murphy, what about the High Governor - what do think of him? What's his story?"
"Well, he is tough bastard but fair. He was already in power when I came here. Supposedly he was an established soldier in the army and wanted to forward his career. Doesn't like us humans a whole bunch, strange since he married one. I don't know, he imposes some tough laws and punishments but I always thought they were needed around here."
"And his personal guards?" Wade questions.
"Oh you mean men in black pails, yea, those guys, the fellows who only wear black and never see the sun. Scary. Empaths I hear but really hard-core trained. Lots of stories about them, a kind of bio-science gene project that the High Gov helped start during the war. We are always hearing of stories about what they do in the middle of the night - ambushes, assassinations, and raids - all the fun stuff. Remind me of the Nazis. I would watch them especially when they read your mind and thoughts - around here just the idea of breaking the law is punishable."
"Thanks Murphy you have been a big help", Wade shakes his hand.
"If Mad Murphy cannot help some Low Towner's then what is the world coming to? Drink up my boys for tomorrow we might all be dead!" They all drink but Wade and others do so with worried brows.
The airbase is like nothing the three have ever seen. It stretches for what seems like miles, massive ships come and go, making thunderous noise as they break the low laying clouds. Men and machinery scream about in all directions like ants working a colony. It's a whirlwind of activity as they descend into the hanger bay.
The interior is just as nice; workers go about their business fixing air ships and freighters alike. Not a speck of dirt and grim our three bounty hunters are so used to. They all look in amazement at the place, unaware or unaccustomed to such technology or beauty. The ships glean with polished surfaces, engines churn and robotic helpers move around with direction and purpose.
They make their way to a ready room just to the side of the main hanger. Inside only a bounty hunters dream come true. From wall to wall of nothing but weapons and armor to choose from.
Buddy and Mikhail cannot help but be excited at the site. So many years scrapping out parts and weapons in the Blue Zone only to come to this mecha of modern warfare.
Wade too shows his kid-like joy in seeing the armory before them. They carefully gleam over pulse rifles and body armor, explosive devices and sensor arrays. Wade clutches a long range sniper rifle with tele-scoping sites and laser range finder. "This would have come in handy back in the day, eh Buddy?"
Buddy just nods as he has found small assorted weapons known to be Lorn in nature. Wade cannot be sure but he would swear Buddy smiled as his hands touched them all. Sometimes it is the little things that makes one feel alive again.
The three begin to shuffle around the room, raiding for weapons and armor but careful enough not to bog themselves down - they need to be light and fast for this mission.
What seems to be hours Krill walks in on the three with his fellow traveling companion in tow. "Well I see the criminals have found the loot. Make sure to note everything they have Commander Mul. Listen up your three, this is my second - Lt. Mason Mul, he will be traveling with us. He has seen more battles hen you three put together; he is an expert in tactics and hand to hand, close quarter combat. Please do him the pleasure of showing him some respect as I quite sure he has earned it." Krill scans the three for any sign of understanding but is simply stared at.
"What's up Krill? I see you are your usually cheerful self this morning?" Wade and the others chuckle.
"Oh yes, Mr. Wade, how I have so missed you charming wit. I notice by my records you scored some files from a library then spent the better part of the night at a bar. I must say this is quite out of character for you - no brothels to venture into" Krill picks over the pieces Wade has chosen, "I see you're found the oldest and rusted junk armor in here. I give you all this, the bright and unused, and you three pick through the refuse - missing home are we?" Krill smirks.
Wade smiles at the remark while trying on the slightly used armor, "No, but see all this shiny shit you and your boy wear will only gives us the opportunity to be detected sooner then later. See where we are going they is no outlet store for this stuff - those people fight, scrounge and kill for whatever they can. If we were going in with say a thousand men so be it - use the shiny new shit but for me and my men, old and rusted suits us - might even keep us alive."
"Oh so many tricks up the bounty hunters sleeve is it? So tell me when we are knee deep in the muck out there you trust your lives to these two - a has been Lorn and a know nothing Hiocean? Is that your plan?" Krill barks at Wade.
"Only the best" wade answers.
"Do you think you are the first?" Krill asked harshly.
"We are the best or did you not hear what the High Gov will give us", Mikhail quickly answered.
"Your nothing", Krill jolts back, "You're just the next name on the list, another number. Did you think you were the first and only group to attempt this?"
Krill slams down a folder on the table, "Let me be the first to dispel that myth. Others, many others, countless talented others have been sent in there, here, read about them, I assure you they came to us much more credentials then your lot has. Let's see who we have sent…we have a Dunchuese, Moore, Salvatore, several rangers and what not, oh the list goes on Mr. Wade. You three are nothing special."
Wade shifts through some of the pages, catching glimpses of men's faces and dockets of action they have seen. All well trained and rugged men and all dead.
"I guess your mistake was using these guys first." Wade bit back. Buddy and Mikhail enjoy the remark.
"You know what they call a retired bounty hunter Mr. Wade? Deceased." Krill looks sharply at Wade. The room is silenced. "Get what you need, Commander Mul will check it out, the ship is being prepared and will be ready to leave within the hour."
Krill begins to leave but Wade wasn't finished, "Ohh, I get it", smiling and following after Krill around the room. Krill turns and stops. "It just occurred to me, oh, yes I must be slow today. I get it", Krill is perplexed by Wade's manner, "Oh it doesn't take an empath to read you and the signals you're putting out - you're scared."
Krill is quiet, taken back at the remark, a little annoyed. "All these other groups, these hired hands, all left and never came back, ended up dead or worse. But this time, this time the High Governor has asked you to tag along, his golden boy. And it has you scared. Tell me I am wrong - Mr. Krill doesn't mind walking into a dive bar and executing a man but when he has to go to the trenches, to get his hands dirty his real colors show - is that it. Are we afraid of the Crater?"
Krill is less them amused. "Why you inbred human shit puss - I should gut you right now for addressing me in this manner!", Krill clutching his gun, Mikhail and Buddy have theirs already in position. Commander Mul moves in to keep the two apart. Krill walks away but utterly angered.
"Why is that you hate us such much Krill? I mean I get why you hate Buddy - he is Lorn so of course I understand a little hatred on your part. But every since the day you walked into that bar all you have done is thrown the entire human race into the shitter and I want to know why - before I place myself or my men in danger I want to know why the person, the soldier who might have to save my neck, would rather spit on my face then shake my hand - so let's have it Krill, once and for all, soldier to soldier."
Silence. Buddy, Mikhail and Mason just stand waiting for anything, expecting anything. Krill scans the room and then coldly stares at Wade like an insect that needed to be stepped upon.
"Why? I have thousands of reasons Mr. Wade but if you need it in a nice neat fashion - Because you are nothing, your entire race are like a disease, vermin to the world and each other. You humans have no honor, no code, and no measure of duty to anything beyond. Time and time again you sold each other out for the most sublime reasons - money, land, and resources. How many times in your races history have you turned on each other for nothing more then the sake of war itself? Your books are filled with stories of heroes who did what - win a battle? For what - for another laurel wreath, another medal. I despise your race lack of duty to something beyond themselves."
For the past 20 years is about how our war affected humans --- oh the poor humans. Lets help them, we need to do this and that - help us, teach us…"
"What did you expect form us", Wade speaks
"You could have done something - anything! You did nothing - you sit by like an absent landlord. Your politicians sold you out, your sold each other and then had the audacity to stand there and ask for our help. I would have killed the entire planet. Always passing the blame on to something else, that's the real idea humans have brought us - passing the buck."
Krill is riled, "You question my duty, my courage, I have seen the first on Orion's belt burn, I have lived in trenches where the blood is a foot deep, I have pulled bullets and scraps of iron form my very own body and smiled. I have earned my position - what about you? You think living in the Blue Zone makes you special? I have no touched my child or my wife in over 20 years - 20 years damn you. I have killed men on planets I cannot name and places I choose to forget... And in all this time I witness great acts of violence and courage - other, lesser races taught us that it is not the level of technology that prevails but the races' blood line and call to duty. Two things human are running short of. The human race has no back bone - no heart."
"The human race burned itself out many eons ago and yet here we are, trying to help you, better you and all I see around me is contempt and compliancy. You disgust me outright Mr. Wade. Not one human ever stood at my masters feet and told us NO - not this planet. Your race placed its own well being over its lifespan, you choose self pity over duty, over indulgence over sacrifice."
"I live a life of service, knowing my actions, while might seem arbitrary to you and harsh, serve my people for the better good. Yes I have no love for the Governors daughter but it is my mission and that alone I welcome the chance to serve. You serve for what - a sky suite and money? So tell me Mr. Wade who here is really evolved? I go because I believe what we do as a people is right, that my actions serve a purpose beyond me. What do you serve?"
Wade, silent, searching for the words, "It must just kill you that your High Governor married a human huh?"
Krill snarls.
Wade has heard the truth and it hurts but Wade isn't one to back down, "It most absolute fucking kill you that he married into a species you find so disgusting, but, and I mean this, it most tear your balls out he is sending you on this mission, duty or not, sending you to the crater with other humans and a Lorn to fetch his lost half-human daughter."
Krill, snarling right into Wades face, "I will do what it takes to complete my mission, even it takes your life in the process. You and your men are expendable. Don't toy with me - I have done things that assure my place in hell. Never forget that Wade, out there if need be I will make sure I come home."
Wade doesn't flinch, "and rest assured Krill, if you so much as move out of line out there or place my men at unnecessary risk I will show you how just truly disgusting human I can be. My people are not expendable. And don't ever talk to me about loyalty…these men you hold is such low regard are my family and as such I would protect them as they were my brothers. Out there I am your master - a fact you better come to terms with real quick."
Krill backs off not wanting any more to do with them. "And take your papers with you", Wade throws them at his feet, "let it remind you the difference between being considered the best and living up to it." Krill walks off without retrieving the fallen papers and Buddy and Mikhail let out a sigh of relief.
"The ship is ready when you are", Commander Mul states before leaving.
"Get your gear ready guys, you know the drill, I want light and fast, lots of ammo and bring some tradable items. Mikhail - don't forget to bring along your "sister". Wade kicks the nearest trash can out of anger - is Krill right? "Damn him", Wade mutters as he composes himself.
Mikhail's "sister" is an inside joke among the three. Mikhail packs in his shoulder pack a small, compact but deadly repeating shotgun for up close and person matters - nicknamed "the sister of pain".
Buddy has gather mostly Lorn weapons for ease and a slightly over sized duster jacket to cover up with. Buddy is adorn with only modest armor as most is designed for Hioceans and no the slightly larger Lorn structure.
Wade is more traditional in armor- breast plate, shoulder, knee & shin guards. A light weight duster to keep out the weather and some form fitting inner blast assault wear. His weapon of choices, beyond his normal pistols, a light tactical assault rifle with extended clips and folding stock, two automatic pistols, a back up pistol and enough ammo to take out Cleveland.
The three also cram full their survival packs with rations, medical supplies, survival items and some other odd weapons - such as charges, mines and sensors - just what every team needs.
Once packed, dressed they leave but as Buddy passes Wade chucks him on the shoulder, "Don't worry buddy, we have come this far, what's the worse that can happen?" Wade tries to smile.
The three enter the hanger bay and before them is a nice size Assault Skimmer ship - low radar signature, small but effective weapons. Can be used in the open mode or closed mode for space or atmosphere travel. Dual sided armor, painted black for effect. It will be cramped but highly effective. It reminds Wade of the assault mechs the Hioceans used during the war.
Already on board is Krill and Mason looking more displeased then ever to see the three now all amassed with weapons.
"Lets move - don't want to keep Nor waiting". Krill yelled over the roar of the engines coming online. Buddy, Mikhail and Wade begin the process of storing the gear. The engines turn louder and louder, the weapons turrets click to life, the whole ship buzzes with energy. Wade takes one last look around, like he was missing something. Buddy stretches out his long arm to bring Wade aboard. "Anything wrong?" Buddy asks.
"Just seeing ghosts Buddy. It's been awhile since…well any of this. I am fine - go find a seat." Wade takes the seat next to the open door, feeling more at ease with seeing the ground. He can only look out upon the people below as the ship gently lifts off; into a future even Wade is unsure it's out come.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Part III : The Job and The Price
Wade felt a strange twitch jingle around in the back corner of his brain. For about six seconds, he assumed his ear was gummed up with Warland dust. The bounty hunter was certain he didn’t hear Krill correctly. “The High Governor?” he whispered, “What . . .what the hell does he want with me?”
“Why would anybody want you?” the government man smiled, “Haven’t you been hired for outside work before?”
Wade blinked. The High Governor wanted to hire them for a job. Not just any local baron or the Constable at the Enforcer station but the High Governor. For once, their reputation as bounty hunters paid off. Wade paused as she finally brought over the burgers they had asked for. The young man didn’t have much of appetite after hearing what Krill said. “So, what’s the job?” He finally asked.
“Forgive me, Wade but I’m not at liberty to discuss such things,” the tall man smiled, as he leaned back and crossed his legs, “The High Governor ordered me to find you. Found you I did. Now you’ll accompany me back to The Gold Tower, so he can discuss with you the nature of the job personally.”
Wade stared at the agent. He seemed serious enough. The young man then looked toward his companions. “Well?” he asked.
“He seems on the level.” Mikhail hissed, “And he owes me a drink.”
“Indeed.” Krill chuckled.
“Buddy goes where Jonny goes.” The gentle giant said by his side.
“All right.” Wade said, standing up, “Liz, I guess we’re going to get these to go.”
The woman began to unravel a ten year old plastic bag to help carry their food. The three friends stood up and got ready to move. Krill, however, didn’t budge. Wade stepped back and stared down at him. “Let’s go, Agent Man.” He grunted, “I’m sure you got a transport outside.”
Krill shook his head in disgust and stood up; gently putting his sunglasses back on. “Oh, yes, I have a transport outside.” He muttered, as he glanced toward the bounty hunter, “However . . .you don’t SERIOUSLY think I’m taking you toward the High Governor like that, are you?”
Wade glared back at him. In his own snobbish way, Krill was telling him he wasn’t fit to speak to the Hiocean they were on their way to see. The agent calmly patted the back of his overcoat, knocking off what dust he could. “Get cleaned up, Gentlemen.” He said, as he began to leave the saloon, “You smell worse that that fowl beast you were about to consume.”
Wade rolled his eyes, and then looked toward his old friend. “Emerson, the bathes open?” he asked.
“Yeah, help yourselves.” The old soldier watched the agent leave the building, much to his relief.
Upstairs, the Low Town Tavern offered the ability to get clean to the travelers that passed through this section of town. Wade remembered the truck stops of his youth offered the same thing. The more modern equivalent had to include a few more new things. The Compressed Vapor Bath came directly from the Mid-Way. Mikhail had brought a lot of money into the Tavern so Emerson felt it was just to include the ability to take a bath should he ever need it. Since he was a Blue Zoner, he couldn’t take a bath in water without shorting out the whole building. Mikhail gently closed his eyes as he sat on the white stool in the center of the CVB. The powdered vapors shot up from the panel below and were caught in the panel above. The bald man kept his eyes closed as he felt the small amount of dirt particles leave his body. “I’ll have to try that someday.” Wade said as he slicked back his wet hair with a comb.
“It’s soothing.” Mikhail said, before turning it off and stepping out.
“Cloudy bath too small for Buddy.” The Lorn said, as he was dumping a whole tube of toothpaste onto a whitewall brush.
“I’m sure your lizard skin would be sensitive to it anyway, little brother.” The young man said, as he sat down to put on his boots.
Buddy took the brush and began to brush his sharp teeth with it. Wade smirked at his companion, remembering the time when they were kids and the gentle giant swallowed a normal toothbrush by accident. As he got bigger, they had to get to bigger means. “Dis yow miket mo Migh Brown, Monny?” Buddy said.
“Buddy, spit.” Wade laughed.
The giant Lorn spit out his tooth paste, making some splash onto the floor. “This our ticket to High Town, Jonny?” he asked again.
Wade looked out the window at the scores of armored guards that were surrounding the building. “Not sure,” he whispered, “But if we play our cards right . . . . .it just might be.”
After the trio got done cleaning up, they made their way down the stairs and back into the lobby. Little Amanda waved to Wade and the others as they past. The bounty hunter exited the building and saw the huge transport waiting for them by the road. It was long and gray; resembling an age old subway car; except this one was hovering. Krill was enjoying a boom stick while waiting for them. He flicked the Hiocean cigarette onto the gravel and smiled at the bounty hunters. “Well done,” he chuckled, “You look almost civilized.”
“Can we get moving, please?” Mikhail huffed.
Krill turned around and waved to one of the guards. The armored man reached over toward the hovercar and pressed a light green button. A platform slowly rose down, allowing them into the vehicle. Krill walked in first as the bounty hunters followed. Wade didn’t want to admit it but he was happy to be in the hovercar; as it was one of the few vehicles these days that could run on solar energy and still be air conditioned. Several humans were in the hovercraft, making sure it was up and running. What amazed Wade was the Hiocean sitting on a middle seat near the front. He was drinking some sort of dark liquid in almost desperation. “Is that them, Agent Krill?” he asked.
“Aye, Commander Arc.” Krill sat down next to him.
“Finally. I do not wish to tally in this dust infected squalor any longer.” He said, putting his drink down, “Captain Fisher, make haste for the Gold Tower.”
“Aye, sir.” The pilot said, as he pressed a button and the hovercar began to zoom off.
Wade and his friends strapped on seat belts on the bench area. Mikhail looked out the window, trying to gage where their speed was happening. Buddy grunted, as the seats weren’t really built for Lorns; making his tail get in the way. Wade crossed his arms and leaned back, knowing full well the trip to High Town would be at least 40 minutes; even by hovercar.
The long vehicle began to enter the Mid Way. It was called that because it was the midway point between High Town and Low Town. The citizens thought to call it Middle Town but it was deemed a little too corny. It was where citizens from Low Town would sell their goods to citizens from the High Town. If one earned enough credits, they could earn a pass to visit High Town and work toward getting what everybody else wanted; citizenship. High Town was climate controlled, and most of its citizens had a special package deal if they got citizenship; free food and drink delivered to your doorstep every two weeks. It was a thriving business, considering how The Three Year War left the state of the Earth.
The hovercar came to a slowed down stop and got in a special joining railing system. Mikhail looked out the window and saw they were entering the massive arch gates of High Town. They were entering through the protected sector gate. Wade looked over and saw the long line of humans, mutants and Lorns waiting on the processing line. Each one of them could have been in that line for days, waiting to get processed and allowed entrance to High Town. The bounty hunter knew him and his friends would be in that line one day but if they were lucky with this particular job, they can bypass it. Wade gently wondered if the High Governor would consider paying them with automatic citizenship. “That’s a steep price, wouldn’t you say, Wade?” Krill laughed
“Get out of my mind, freak.” The bounty hunter grunted.
“Says the man who bunks with a Blue Zoner.”
“Mikhail was a victim of Hiocean Bio-Bombing.” He leaned forward, “He wasn’t asked to be changed. You? You gave up your soul to become a super human abomination.”
Krill slowly pivoted the chair so he could face the bounty hunter. “We prefer the term Enhanced Human.” He winced.
“I’m sure God uses the word offensive.”
“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” the Hiocean Captain swiveled in his own seat to get between them, “We are on our way to see the High Governor. There is no need to bring hostility to this meeting.”
Krill and Wade locked eyes. The bounty hunter thought about how he could hurt the agent and hoped he picked up on that thought transmission. Krill scoffed a bit and then swiveled back into his seat. Arc looked at him and then over at Wade. “Born Earther, eh?” he inquired.
“Yes, sir.” The bounty hunter looked at him.
“Then you must have survived the Three Year War.” The alien whispered, “Otherwise, I can’t imagine a human willing to see someone as prolific as the High Governor.”
“I’m not that bitter, besides . . . . . I got no idea which Hioceans killed my parents. It’s a waste of time to blame all of you.”
“How old where you when we struck?”
“Eleven.”
“Fascinating.” He said turning around, “You must have been special to survive such a fierce battle.”
“Actually, a Lorn saved my life.” Wade said.
The Hiocean said nothing, just stared out the window as they started to get on the upper railings of High Town. Buddy felt proud that Wade mentioned his savior; he never knew them but he knows his best friend’s saviors were his own parents. Mikhail never knew his parents but he was thankful he found a family in Wade and Buddy the day they pulled him out of the Blue Zone. Now, all they had was each other.
The High Town skyscape was something to see. The Hiocean built it from remnants of Seattle and their own war ships. Most of the workers were Lorn’s, as a part of the peace treaty between their worlds. About 68% of the Lorn workforce managed to secure citizenship into the sky suites of High Town. However, the remaining 32% went to Low Town and other outlining sectors of Warland and the world. Some were still bitter about the Hioceans trying to invade their world originally and they couldn’t let old hatreds die out. They don’t try to kill each other anymore, but there is no special paragraph in the treaty that said they have like each other.
Wade looked out toward the center of High Town were the large expanse of trees were located. What most couldn’t see from so high up was the face that the trees were hiding the massive amounts of vegetable growth underneath. It was the famous Hiocean Hydroponics Farm where the food was grown and distributed throughout the city. It was what made Wade want to get a suite in High Town; not only do they get a home to call their own but as a park of the packaged deal, they get the free food for life from the Hydro-Farm. Finding work was bad enough but finding food was even worse in some parts of Low Town. It would be a heavy weight of Wade’s mind.
The hovercar jolted a bit as they arrived at the Gold Tower. The three friends looked around at the parking lot, where more hovercars were resting. Some old Earth cars were in there but since they didn’t have the ability to fly; Wade already knew they were simply there for show. He found it amusing that the Hioceans enjoyed Earth culture more than their own. The human captain then slid down the side window panel toward the Lorn guard at the Golden Gates. “Security code 3367,” Fisher said, “Please deactivate the Magno Field.”
“Regulations, Captain.” The Lorn grunted back.
“You are authorized to forgo regulations at this point, my friend.” Commander Arc leaned forward, “We have a Blue Zoner here. We don’t want to make him uncomfortable.”
“Sorry, Commander,” the huge lizard said as he shut down the magnetic field.
The laser guided tracking system connected with the onboard computer of the hovercar and began to slide it toward a parking space. As they passed over the magnetic railing, Mikhail jolted a bit; as if he was swept by a cold wind. His huge alien friend put a hand on the mutant’s shoulder. “Mikhail all right?” Buddy asked.
“I’m . . good.” He said, shaking his face, “It just sent a chill down my spine.”
“I’m curious.” Krill said, without looking around, “What would have happened had the Magno Field been all the way up?”
“That’s private, man!” the Blue Zoner grunted.
Krill just laughed as the hovercar came toward a full stop. The government man stood up and walked toward the exit ramp. As the door came down, his armored guards led the way. Wade walked out as Mikhail and Buddy followed. Commander Arc brought up the rear with his human subordinates. The bounty hunter looked out at the massive cityscape. Hovercars zoomed by as typical traffic. A few random birds floated on the coastal breeze. Companies like McDonalds and Starbucks still existed in the growing hub. Wade was jealous of the people who lived in High Town but he couldn’t falter the Hioceans accomplishments. It didn’t take them long to offer their expertise to the car manufacturers of the world, providing them with the ability to make their cards solar powered: not to mention flight prowess. They offered farmers the chance to be farmers again with new progress; turning old Battle Bots into Farming Bots. They created an Artic Stabilizer; a large silo like facility that kept producing cold air to keep the artic from breaking off into the sea. It even only took them a week to fix the Ozone Layer.
The trio followed Agent Krill around a red bricked sidewalk on the corner of the building. Force field side panels kept people from falling off down the huge buildings. Wade marveled at the structure for a second before looking concerned at the site of some strange creatures. Two overweight bird people were cackling at the sight of a Hiocean version of Burger King and even held up a device, causing a flash similar to an Earther camera. Mikhail and Buddy gazed at the creatures themselves. Once the bird people spotted them, they laughed and then took a picture of them. “Smile for the tourists, Wade.” Krill waved to them, “They don’t get the chance to see many humans.”
“Tourists?” the bounty hunter scoffed, “What are they?”
“Dycodians.” Krill started to walk toward the entrance, “They’ve always been fascinated with Earth and the Three Year War. They bring in necessary money to help finance this world.”
“I wasn’t aware Earth had become a galactic tourist trap.” Wade said sarcastically, “Have you introduced them to chicken nuggets or is that too close to eating their own kind?”
Wade’s insult to the aliens caused Buddy to laugh. Krill placed his hand on a panel, causing it to glow green and the doors to slide open. The mutant agent glared at the bounty hunter as was about to enter the building. “You ever want a sky suite; you need to show the proper respect to the Hioceans, Wade.” He gritted his teeth, “They saved this world.”
Wade’s eye twitched as he past him. “They destroyed it first.” He said as entered.
The bounty hunter looked around at the lobby. It resembled an old style hotel, with the plush carpet and furniture. There were some new alien amenities, such as the Star Transmitter booth and the Virtual Game lounge. A female Hiocean casually smoked from a boom stick on an extended black filter as her soft blues eyes fell on Mikhail. The Blue Zoner felt a little weird being the center of attention. It was bound to happen; most mutants like himself never made it past the Mid Way. “This way, gentlemen.” Krill said as he and his armored guards walked over to an elevator.
Arc and his men walked toward their own designated station. It wasn’t their job to present them toward the High Governor; just get them to the Gold Tower. Krill pressed his hand on another panel to an elevator, as the doors slid open. He offered the three men entrance to the elevator. Wade entered first, followed by Buddy, then Mikhail. “You’re not coming?” Wade asked the agent.
“I’ve done my job.” He smiled, “Once you reach the hallway, do whatever the butler says. And be careful what you say . . . . .there are others who could still do this job.”
Wade didn’t say anything. He just let the door slide to a close and then the elevator began to move. Buddy put his hand on the ceiling to lean down a bit. Clearly the elevator wasn’t built for Lorns. Mikhail patted his friend on the side then looked toward Wade. “What do you think?” he asked.
“It seems almost too good to be true.” The bounty hunter whispered, “Our rep being good enough for us to get the attention of the Governor of High Town. Whatever the job . . . .I hope there are no bad strings attached.”
“Buddy don’t like bad strings.” The Lorn told his friends.
“Me neither, big guy.” Mikhail sighed.
“Anyway, we treat this like any other job.” The human looked toward his friends, “Let me do the talking and the dealing.”
“Copy that.” Mikhail and Buddy said in unison.
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. A semi-large Hiocean with black garb of a butler was waiting for them. He bowed and then motioned for the three friends to follow him. Wade walked out of the elevator as his friends followed. The hallway was adorned with pristine green carpet and various paintings adored the walls. Mostly they were done by earth artist Jackson Pollack. Wade never did see the appeal of the artist but if the Hioceans liked him; more power to them. The group walked a few more feet and arrived at some sort of massive office. “John Wade and party have arrived, Madame.” The butler announced.
Much to Wade’s surprise, a human female turned around and smiled at their arrival. Judging from the slight wrinkles below her eyes and a touch of gray hair, he estimated she was in her mid-40’s. She was wearing a modern green glossy dress; typical fashion for Hiocean females. The bounty hunter never imagined a human female in such garb. It also stuck in his brain that this woman looked familiar. “Thank you, Baila,” the woman told the butler, “We’ll summon you if you are needed.”
“Madame.” He bowed.
Wade watched the butler leave the woman approached him. “Mr. Wade, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled, “I am Ellen Gul. The High Governor is in negotiations to open trade routes to Japan. He should be here shortly.”
The beautiful woman held out her hand. Wade noticed some weird things about her. She was wearing Hiocean clothing, not to mention she had a three lettered last name; like all the Hioceans do. The bounty hunter gently took her hand and then titled it to the side; tapped the back of her palm. A unique Hiocean symbol appeared briefly on the back of her hand, and then faded away as if it was never there. It all finally fit to what Wade was thinking. “You’re the High Governor’s wife?” he asked.
“You’re familiar with Hiocean customs.” She smiled, pleasingly, “You don’t know how much that reassures me for your success in the assignment.”
Mikhail shook her hand and then Buddy shook her hand as gentle as he good. The large gentle giant was worried he could easily crush her hand. However, he succeeded in not hurting. Wade winked at him, letting him know everything was okay. The Lorn then took another looked at the woman and blinked his big eyes. “Heidi Cofax?” he whispered.
Ellen then laughed, placing her hand over her chest. “Oh, my Goodness.” She giggled, “You saw Pray For Death?”
“Pray for . . . “Wade blinked, “Oh, wow! That’s where I knew you from. You’re Ellen Sanchez. The action star that stared in Pray for Death with Christian Blake.”
“You got on that truck on the bridge.” Buddy laughed holding up his hands like guns, “Blam, blam, blam, then leap onto Tomahawk’s convertible. Too Wicked!”
Buddy’s review of her movie couldn’t stop her from laughing. “That is fascinating.” She said, wiping her eyes, “I never expected to hear a Lorn who liked my films.”
“Buddy was raised on them.” Wade said.
“Jonny and Buddy trapped in mall during Three Year War.” The Lorn said, “He teach me English, reading, writing and surviving.”
“Fascinating story. Perhaps I’ll hear about it one day.”
“I’ll be more than happy to tell it, and perhaps you can tell me how a human actress winds up being the wife of a Hiocean Governor.” The bounty hunter stared at her.
“Well, that’s a . . . .complicated story.” She admitted.
“There is nothing complicated about it,” the High Governor said behind Wade, “She was a part of the camps down in Bermuda and I helped free her.”
The three friends turned around to see the tall Hiocean standing near an adjacent doorway. He was decked in the gray cloak of the Hiocean Hierarchy, along with the golden collar that signals he’s the high governor. The tall alien strode over the carpet and stood before the bounty hunter. “High Governor Dean Gul, and I am honored to meet you, John Wade.” He said, extending his hand.
The bounty hunter shook his hand. Like Ellen, the same symbol appeared on the back of the alien’s hand briefly when Wade touched it. The governor then walked over to Mikhail. “Mikhail the Blue Zoner.” He said, shaking his hand, “Other than the Disciples of the Crystalline Church, we don’t see many Blue Zoners in High Town.”
“I’m not with them, sir.” The mutant said, shaking his hand.
The Governor then turned to the massive Lorn. “Greetings, my old enemy.” He smiled, “Do you still hang onto the hatred like some of your Lorn companions?”
“No hatred ever came to Buddy.” He shook his hand, “Grew up after the Three Year War with Jonny and Mikhail.”
“Extraordinary.” The governor bowed to him, “How I wish we Hioceans had the fortune to give birth to our own children during that time. Perhaps we wouldn’t have been so haste to destroy everything.”
Gul walked over a nearby small table and picked up a coffee mug. He gently pressed a button on a silver container and a steaming black liquid poured into the cup. “Can I offer you gentlemen some coffee?” he asked.
“Hiocean Coffee?” Wade inquired.
“But of course.” The Governor sipped the liquid.
“Thank you but no. We’d like to sleep sometime this week.”
Gul then laughed at Wade’s mild insult. “Your Earth’s greatest creation, Mr. Wade.” The governor walked toward his desk, “Hioceans never knew what coffee was. When we found how you humans made it, it didn’t take us long to refine it. But I understand, our version has much higher caffeine content.”
“I guess you need to make sure you’re awake while you run this city.” The bounty hunter looked at him.
The high governor took a sip of his coffee and set the mug aside. He casually picked up a slick plastic folder with several pieces of paper in it. He began to flip through them, without looking at the bounty hunters. “Anyway, to continue the story, Mr. Wade.” He said, keeping his eyes on the papers, “I was stationed at Bermuda. We rousted all the Earthers into a camp for their own safe keeping. Things were not going well, as you well know. The Lorns were making headway and we were being ordered to retreat further south. My commander, Brigadier Nor, ordered his men to execute the humans. A group comprised of myself and my comrades stopped them.”
Wade looked at him while Ellen Gul walked over and stood next to her husband. “He’s speaking the truth, Mr. Wade.” She said with sincerity, “I saw my director get cut down in a hail of phaser fire. Before I was about to die, Dean gunned down his Hiocean comrade in the back. He was then rewarded for sparing our lives.”
“What did you do in the war, sir?” Wade asked him.
“I was a logistics officer.” He said, flipping through the pages, “The Hioceans Hierarchy saw that what was needed to help the humans rebuild was compassion and mercy. I was given the High Governor job in High Town long after the war was over.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“First reason, I’ve been reading your file from Enforcer Station 18,” he said, patting the folder, “You’ve lost both your parents in the Three Year War. You have no reason to like Hioceans. You have every reason to despise us. However, I’m one of the select few who will easily admitted, using Earth as a neutral battle ground was a mistake. Too long had we looked down on races we though were lesser. I want you to trust me.”
Wade stared at him. He seemed sincere enough but it wasn’t like reading a human face. He could easily tell when one of them was lying. And as far as trusting Ellen; she could have been saying exactly what he wanted her to say. The bounty hunter looked at his friends briefly and then back at the governor. He needed more info. “And the second reason?” he asked.
“I wanted to give you some history on the Hiocean who betrayed us in Bermuda.” He said, “Nor is no longer a Brigadier in the Hiocean Star Armada. He is a rogue pirate in Northern Lands known as Nor The Soldier. He adopted that name to try and remind Hioceans that we should be patriotic in our cause. Rumor has it he had old WarBots, Lorns and even humans working for him. He has taken something very valuable to me. I want her back.”
Wade blinked from his last statement. “Her?” he asked.
Ellen then took a vidplate and walked over toward the bounty hunter. She pressed a gray button at the bottom of the panel and an image came up of a Hiocean female. However, she didn’t look like any typical female of the species. Her skin was a light blue and her “freckles” were darker. Instead of the typical jet black hair, hers was a light brown. “Vera Gul.” Ellen whispered, “Our daughter.”
Wade stared at the vidplate as Mikhail and Buddy stepped closer to look as well. The mutant twitched his nose, and realized the rumors were indeed true after all these years; human and Hiocean DNA was compatible. “Nor has finally taken his revenge on me by stealing my daughter away.” Gul whispered.
“Any demands of ransom?” Wade asked.
“No. He’s not interested in Hiocean wealth. He is interested in hurting me.”
“Where are they?” Mikhail asked.
“He’s established a base where most fear to go. The Crater.” The Governor whispered.
Wade gently put down the vidplate. He knew of where The Crater was; back during his time, it was the thriving city known as Chicago. It was re-dubbed The Crater because a vast Hiocean warship crashed into Lake Michigan. Not only was the water destroying the city in a massive tidal wave; the fusion reactor went off and decimated the whole place. The human government declared it as disaster area and New Chicago was being built where Hoboken use to be. It didn’t change the fact that The Crater was still used as a hideout for smugglers, pirates and various criminals. Not to mention the abundance of mutants and dying creatures that still inhabit the region. “You and your friends were chosen because of the Enforcer file, Mr. Wade.” Governor Gul said, standing up, “Of all the hunters working in the Mid-Way and Low Town, you have a 94% success rate. Every criminal you’ve been forced to kill has been in self defense. You’ve kept your nose out of trouble. I want you to take this job. Name your price.”
“My price might be pretty steep.” Wade crossed his arms, “I had no idea that we were venturing into The Crater.”
“Where our daughter is concerned, money is not object.” The High Governor quickly said.
Wade took a deep breath and looked toward his best friends. Mikhail had no eyebrows but he gave his friend the look of trust. Buddy gently patted his friend on the shoulder; a signal that he’ll always trust him. The bounty hunter looked back toward the High Governor. “The price will be 500,000 Hiocean credits,” he said, “I want a Sky Suite for me and my friends, with full access to the Hydroponics Farm. And to insure I bring her back safely, I want an all terrain hovercar, which we will keep when the job is done.”
The High Governor then held up his mug of coffee to toast him.
“Done.” He whispered.
“Why would anybody want you?” the government man smiled, “Haven’t you been hired for outside work before?”
Wade blinked. The High Governor wanted to hire them for a job. Not just any local baron or the Constable at the Enforcer station but the High Governor. For once, their reputation as bounty hunters paid off. Wade paused as she finally brought over the burgers they had asked for. The young man didn’t have much of appetite after hearing what Krill said. “So, what’s the job?” He finally asked.
“Forgive me, Wade but I’m not at liberty to discuss such things,” the tall man smiled, as he leaned back and crossed his legs, “The High Governor ordered me to find you. Found you I did. Now you’ll accompany me back to The Gold Tower, so he can discuss with you the nature of the job personally.”
Wade stared at the agent. He seemed serious enough. The young man then looked toward his companions. “Well?” he asked.
“He seems on the level.” Mikhail hissed, “And he owes me a drink.”
“Indeed.” Krill chuckled.
“Buddy goes where Jonny goes.” The gentle giant said by his side.
“All right.” Wade said, standing up, “Liz, I guess we’re going to get these to go.”
The woman began to unravel a ten year old plastic bag to help carry their food. The three friends stood up and got ready to move. Krill, however, didn’t budge. Wade stepped back and stared down at him. “Let’s go, Agent Man.” He grunted, “I’m sure you got a transport outside.”
Krill shook his head in disgust and stood up; gently putting his sunglasses back on. “Oh, yes, I have a transport outside.” He muttered, as he glanced toward the bounty hunter, “However . . .you don’t SERIOUSLY think I’m taking you toward the High Governor like that, are you?”
Wade glared back at him. In his own snobbish way, Krill was telling him he wasn’t fit to speak to the Hiocean they were on their way to see. The agent calmly patted the back of his overcoat, knocking off what dust he could. “Get cleaned up, Gentlemen.” He said, as he began to leave the saloon, “You smell worse that that fowl beast you were about to consume.”
Wade rolled his eyes, and then looked toward his old friend. “Emerson, the bathes open?” he asked.
“Yeah, help yourselves.” The old soldier watched the agent leave the building, much to his relief.
Upstairs, the Low Town Tavern offered the ability to get clean to the travelers that passed through this section of town. Wade remembered the truck stops of his youth offered the same thing. The more modern equivalent had to include a few more new things. The Compressed Vapor Bath came directly from the Mid-Way. Mikhail had brought a lot of money into the Tavern so Emerson felt it was just to include the ability to take a bath should he ever need it. Since he was a Blue Zoner, he couldn’t take a bath in water without shorting out the whole building. Mikhail gently closed his eyes as he sat on the white stool in the center of the CVB. The powdered vapors shot up from the panel below and were caught in the panel above. The bald man kept his eyes closed as he felt the small amount of dirt particles leave his body. “I’ll have to try that someday.” Wade said as he slicked back his wet hair with a comb.
“It’s soothing.” Mikhail said, before turning it off and stepping out.
“Cloudy bath too small for Buddy.” The Lorn said, as he was dumping a whole tube of toothpaste onto a whitewall brush.
“I’m sure your lizard skin would be sensitive to it anyway, little brother.” The young man said, as he sat down to put on his boots.
Buddy took the brush and began to brush his sharp teeth with it. Wade smirked at his companion, remembering the time when they were kids and the gentle giant swallowed a normal toothbrush by accident. As he got bigger, they had to get to bigger means. “Dis yow miket mo Migh Brown, Monny?” Buddy said.
“Buddy, spit.” Wade laughed.
The giant Lorn spit out his tooth paste, making some splash onto the floor. “This our ticket to High Town, Jonny?” he asked again.
Wade looked out the window at the scores of armored guards that were surrounding the building. “Not sure,” he whispered, “But if we play our cards right . . . . .it just might be.”
After the trio got done cleaning up, they made their way down the stairs and back into the lobby. Little Amanda waved to Wade and the others as they past. The bounty hunter exited the building and saw the huge transport waiting for them by the road. It was long and gray; resembling an age old subway car; except this one was hovering. Krill was enjoying a boom stick while waiting for them. He flicked the Hiocean cigarette onto the gravel and smiled at the bounty hunters. “Well done,” he chuckled, “You look almost civilized.”
“Can we get moving, please?” Mikhail huffed.
Krill turned around and waved to one of the guards. The armored man reached over toward the hovercar and pressed a light green button. A platform slowly rose down, allowing them into the vehicle. Krill walked in first as the bounty hunters followed. Wade didn’t want to admit it but he was happy to be in the hovercar; as it was one of the few vehicles these days that could run on solar energy and still be air conditioned. Several humans were in the hovercraft, making sure it was up and running. What amazed Wade was the Hiocean sitting on a middle seat near the front. He was drinking some sort of dark liquid in almost desperation. “Is that them, Agent Krill?” he asked.
“Aye, Commander Arc.” Krill sat down next to him.
“Finally. I do not wish to tally in this dust infected squalor any longer.” He said, putting his drink down, “Captain Fisher, make haste for the Gold Tower.”
“Aye, sir.” The pilot said, as he pressed a button and the hovercar began to zoom off.
Wade and his friends strapped on seat belts on the bench area. Mikhail looked out the window, trying to gage where their speed was happening. Buddy grunted, as the seats weren’t really built for Lorns; making his tail get in the way. Wade crossed his arms and leaned back, knowing full well the trip to High Town would be at least 40 minutes; even by hovercar.
The long vehicle began to enter the Mid Way. It was called that because it was the midway point between High Town and Low Town. The citizens thought to call it Middle Town but it was deemed a little too corny. It was where citizens from Low Town would sell their goods to citizens from the High Town. If one earned enough credits, they could earn a pass to visit High Town and work toward getting what everybody else wanted; citizenship. High Town was climate controlled, and most of its citizens had a special package deal if they got citizenship; free food and drink delivered to your doorstep every two weeks. It was a thriving business, considering how The Three Year War left the state of the Earth.
The hovercar came to a slowed down stop and got in a special joining railing system. Mikhail looked out the window and saw they were entering the massive arch gates of High Town. They were entering through the protected sector gate. Wade looked over and saw the long line of humans, mutants and Lorns waiting on the processing line. Each one of them could have been in that line for days, waiting to get processed and allowed entrance to High Town. The bounty hunter knew him and his friends would be in that line one day but if they were lucky with this particular job, they can bypass it. Wade gently wondered if the High Governor would consider paying them with automatic citizenship. “That’s a steep price, wouldn’t you say, Wade?” Krill laughed
“Get out of my mind, freak.” The bounty hunter grunted.
“Says the man who bunks with a Blue Zoner.”
“Mikhail was a victim of Hiocean Bio-Bombing.” He leaned forward, “He wasn’t asked to be changed. You? You gave up your soul to become a super human abomination.”
Krill slowly pivoted the chair so he could face the bounty hunter. “We prefer the term Enhanced Human.” He winced.
“I’m sure God uses the word offensive.”
“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” the Hiocean Captain swiveled in his own seat to get between them, “We are on our way to see the High Governor. There is no need to bring hostility to this meeting.”
Krill and Wade locked eyes. The bounty hunter thought about how he could hurt the agent and hoped he picked up on that thought transmission. Krill scoffed a bit and then swiveled back into his seat. Arc looked at him and then over at Wade. “Born Earther, eh?” he inquired.
“Yes, sir.” The bounty hunter looked at him.
“Then you must have survived the Three Year War.” The alien whispered, “Otherwise, I can’t imagine a human willing to see someone as prolific as the High Governor.”
“I’m not that bitter, besides . . . . . I got no idea which Hioceans killed my parents. It’s a waste of time to blame all of you.”
“How old where you when we struck?”
“Eleven.”
“Fascinating.” He said turning around, “You must have been special to survive such a fierce battle.”
“Actually, a Lorn saved my life.” Wade said.
The Hiocean said nothing, just stared out the window as they started to get on the upper railings of High Town. Buddy felt proud that Wade mentioned his savior; he never knew them but he knows his best friend’s saviors were his own parents. Mikhail never knew his parents but he was thankful he found a family in Wade and Buddy the day they pulled him out of the Blue Zone. Now, all they had was each other.
The High Town skyscape was something to see. The Hiocean built it from remnants of Seattle and their own war ships. Most of the workers were Lorn’s, as a part of the peace treaty between their worlds. About 68% of the Lorn workforce managed to secure citizenship into the sky suites of High Town. However, the remaining 32% went to Low Town and other outlining sectors of Warland and the world. Some were still bitter about the Hioceans trying to invade their world originally and they couldn’t let old hatreds die out. They don’t try to kill each other anymore, but there is no special paragraph in the treaty that said they have like each other.
Wade looked out toward the center of High Town were the large expanse of trees were located. What most couldn’t see from so high up was the face that the trees were hiding the massive amounts of vegetable growth underneath. It was the famous Hiocean Hydroponics Farm where the food was grown and distributed throughout the city. It was what made Wade want to get a suite in High Town; not only do they get a home to call their own but as a park of the packaged deal, they get the free food for life from the Hydro-Farm. Finding work was bad enough but finding food was even worse in some parts of Low Town. It would be a heavy weight of Wade’s mind.
The hovercar jolted a bit as they arrived at the Gold Tower. The three friends looked around at the parking lot, where more hovercars were resting. Some old Earth cars were in there but since they didn’t have the ability to fly; Wade already knew they were simply there for show. He found it amusing that the Hioceans enjoyed Earth culture more than their own. The human captain then slid down the side window panel toward the Lorn guard at the Golden Gates. “Security code 3367,” Fisher said, “Please deactivate the Magno Field.”
“Regulations, Captain.” The Lorn grunted back.
“You are authorized to forgo regulations at this point, my friend.” Commander Arc leaned forward, “We have a Blue Zoner here. We don’t want to make him uncomfortable.”
“Sorry, Commander,” the huge lizard said as he shut down the magnetic field.
The laser guided tracking system connected with the onboard computer of the hovercar and began to slide it toward a parking space. As they passed over the magnetic railing, Mikhail jolted a bit; as if he was swept by a cold wind. His huge alien friend put a hand on the mutant’s shoulder. “Mikhail all right?” Buddy asked.
“I’m . . good.” He said, shaking his face, “It just sent a chill down my spine.”
“I’m curious.” Krill said, without looking around, “What would have happened had the Magno Field been all the way up?”
“That’s private, man!” the Blue Zoner grunted.
Krill just laughed as the hovercar came toward a full stop. The government man stood up and walked toward the exit ramp. As the door came down, his armored guards led the way. Wade walked out as Mikhail and Buddy followed. Commander Arc brought up the rear with his human subordinates. The bounty hunter looked out at the massive cityscape. Hovercars zoomed by as typical traffic. A few random birds floated on the coastal breeze. Companies like McDonalds and Starbucks still existed in the growing hub. Wade was jealous of the people who lived in High Town but he couldn’t falter the Hioceans accomplishments. It didn’t take them long to offer their expertise to the car manufacturers of the world, providing them with the ability to make their cards solar powered: not to mention flight prowess. They offered farmers the chance to be farmers again with new progress; turning old Battle Bots into Farming Bots. They created an Artic Stabilizer; a large silo like facility that kept producing cold air to keep the artic from breaking off into the sea. It even only took them a week to fix the Ozone Layer.
The trio followed Agent Krill around a red bricked sidewalk on the corner of the building. Force field side panels kept people from falling off down the huge buildings. Wade marveled at the structure for a second before looking concerned at the site of some strange creatures. Two overweight bird people were cackling at the sight of a Hiocean version of Burger King and even held up a device, causing a flash similar to an Earther camera. Mikhail and Buddy gazed at the creatures themselves. Once the bird people spotted them, they laughed and then took a picture of them. “Smile for the tourists, Wade.” Krill waved to them, “They don’t get the chance to see many humans.”
“Tourists?” the bounty hunter scoffed, “What are they?”
“Dycodians.” Krill started to walk toward the entrance, “They’ve always been fascinated with Earth and the Three Year War. They bring in necessary money to help finance this world.”
“I wasn’t aware Earth had become a galactic tourist trap.” Wade said sarcastically, “Have you introduced them to chicken nuggets or is that too close to eating their own kind?”
Wade’s insult to the aliens caused Buddy to laugh. Krill placed his hand on a panel, causing it to glow green and the doors to slide open. The mutant agent glared at the bounty hunter as was about to enter the building. “You ever want a sky suite; you need to show the proper respect to the Hioceans, Wade.” He gritted his teeth, “They saved this world.”
Wade’s eye twitched as he past him. “They destroyed it first.” He said as entered.
The bounty hunter looked around at the lobby. It resembled an old style hotel, with the plush carpet and furniture. There were some new alien amenities, such as the Star Transmitter booth and the Virtual Game lounge. A female Hiocean casually smoked from a boom stick on an extended black filter as her soft blues eyes fell on Mikhail. The Blue Zoner felt a little weird being the center of attention. It was bound to happen; most mutants like himself never made it past the Mid Way. “This way, gentlemen.” Krill said as he and his armored guards walked over to an elevator.
Arc and his men walked toward their own designated station. It wasn’t their job to present them toward the High Governor; just get them to the Gold Tower. Krill pressed his hand on another panel to an elevator, as the doors slid open. He offered the three men entrance to the elevator. Wade entered first, followed by Buddy, then Mikhail. “You’re not coming?” Wade asked the agent.
“I’ve done my job.” He smiled, “Once you reach the hallway, do whatever the butler says. And be careful what you say . . . . .there are others who could still do this job.”
Wade didn’t say anything. He just let the door slide to a close and then the elevator began to move. Buddy put his hand on the ceiling to lean down a bit. Clearly the elevator wasn’t built for Lorns. Mikhail patted his friend on the side then looked toward Wade. “What do you think?” he asked.
“It seems almost too good to be true.” The bounty hunter whispered, “Our rep being good enough for us to get the attention of the Governor of High Town. Whatever the job . . . .I hope there are no bad strings attached.”
“Buddy don’t like bad strings.” The Lorn told his friends.
“Me neither, big guy.” Mikhail sighed.
“Anyway, we treat this like any other job.” The human looked toward his friends, “Let me do the talking and the dealing.”
“Copy that.” Mikhail and Buddy said in unison.
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. A semi-large Hiocean with black garb of a butler was waiting for them. He bowed and then motioned for the three friends to follow him. Wade walked out of the elevator as his friends followed. The hallway was adorned with pristine green carpet and various paintings adored the walls. Mostly they were done by earth artist Jackson Pollack. Wade never did see the appeal of the artist but if the Hioceans liked him; more power to them. The group walked a few more feet and arrived at some sort of massive office. “John Wade and party have arrived, Madame.” The butler announced.
Much to Wade’s surprise, a human female turned around and smiled at their arrival. Judging from the slight wrinkles below her eyes and a touch of gray hair, he estimated she was in her mid-40’s. She was wearing a modern green glossy dress; typical fashion for Hiocean females. The bounty hunter never imagined a human female in such garb. It also stuck in his brain that this woman looked familiar. “Thank you, Baila,” the woman told the butler, “We’ll summon you if you are needed.”
“Madame.” He bowed.
Wade watched the butler leave the woman approached him. “Mr. Wade, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled, “I am Ellen Gul. The High Governor is in negotiations to open trade routes to Japan. He should be here shortly.”
The beautiful woman held out her hand. Wade noticed some weird things about her. She was wearing Hiocean clothing, not to mention she had a three lettered last name; like all the Hioceans do. The bounty hunter gently took her hand and then titled it to the side; tapped the back of her palm. A unique Hiocean symbol appeared briefly on the back of her hand, and then faded away as if it was never there. It all finally fit to what Wade was thinking. “You’re the High Governor’s wife?” he asked.
“You’re familiar with Hiocean customs.” She smiled, pleasingly, “You don’t know how much that reassures me for your success in the assignment.”
Mikhail shook her hand and then Buddy shook her hand as gentle as he good. The large gentle giant was worried he could easily crush her hand. However, he succeeded in not hurting. Wade winked at him, letting him know everything was okay. The Lorn then took another looked at the woman and blinked his big eyes. “Heidi Cofax?” he whispered.
Ellen then laughed, placing her hand over her chest. “Oh, my Goodness.” She giggled, “You saw Pray For Death?”
“Pray for . . . “Wade blinked, “Oh, wow! That’s where I knew you from. You’re Ellen Sanchez. The action star that stared in Pray for Death with Christian Blake.”
“You got on that truck on the bridge.” Buddy laughed holding up his hands like guns, “Blam, blam, blam, then leap onto Tomahawk’s convertible. Too Wicked!”
Buddy’s review of her movie couldn’t stop her from laughing. “That is fascinating.” She said, wiping her eyes, “I never expected to hear a Lorn who liked my films.”
“Buddy was raised on them.” Wade said.
“Jonny and Buddy trapped in mall during Three Year War.” The Lorn said, “He teach me English, reading, writing and surviving.”
“Fascinating story. Perhaps I’ll hear about it one day.”
“I’ll be more than happy to tell it, and perhaps you can tell me how a human actress winds up being the wife of a Hiocean Governor.” The bounty hunter stared at her.
“Well, that’s a . . . .complicated story.” She admitted.
“There is nothing complicated about it,” the High Governor said behind Wade, “She was a part of the camps down in Bermuda and I helped free her.”
The three friends turned around to see the tall Hiocean standing near an adjacent doorway. He was decked in the gray cloak of the Hiocean Hierarchy, along with the golden collar that signals he’s the high governor. The tall alien strode over the carpet and stood before the bounty hunter. “High Governor Dean Gul, and I am honored to meet you, John Wade.” He said, extending his hand.
The bounty hunter shook his hand. Like Ellen, the same symbol appeared on the back of the alien’s hand briefly when Wade touched it. The governor then walked over to Mikhail. “Mikhail the Blue Zoner.” He said, shaking his hand, “Other than the Disciples of the Crystalline Church, we don’t see many Blue Zoners in High Town.”
“I’m not with them, sir.” The mutant said, shaking his hand.
The Governor then turned to the massive Lorn. “Greetings, my old enemy.” He smiled, “Do you still hang onto the hatred like some of your Lorn companions?”
“No hatred ever came to Buddy.” He shook his hand, “Grew up after the Three Year War with Jonny and Mikhail.”
“Extraordinary.” The governor bowed to him, “How I wish we Hioceans had the fortune to give birth to our own children during that time. Perhaps we wouldn’t have been so haste to destroy everything.”
Gul walked over a nearby small table and picked up a coffee mug. He gently pressed a button on a silver container and a steaming black liquid poured into the cup. “Can I offer you gentlemen some coffee?” he asked.
“Hiocean Coffee?” Wade inquired.
“But of course.” The Governor sipped the liquid.
“Thank you but no. We’d like to sleep sometime this week.”
Gul then laughed at Wade’s mild insult. “Your Earth’s greatest creation, Mr. Wade.” The governor walked toward his desk, “Hioceans never knew what coffee was. When we found how you humans made it, it didn’t take us long to refine it. But I understand, our version has much higher caffeine content.”
“I guess you need to make sure you’re awake while you run this city.” The bounty hunter looked at him.
The high governor took a sip of his coffee and set the mug aside. He casually picked up a slick plastic folder with several pieces of paper in it. He began to flip through them, without looking at the bounty hunters. “Anyway, to continue the story, Mr. Wade.” He said, keeping his eyes on the papers, “I was stationed at Bermuda. We rousted all the Earthers into a camp for their own safe keeping. Things were not going well, as you well know. The Lorns were making headway and we were being ordered to retreat further south. My commander, Brigadier Nor, ordered his men to execute the humans. A group comprised of myself and my comrades stopped them.”
Wade looked at him while Ellen Gul walked over and stood next to her husband. “He’s speaking the truth, Mr. Wade.” She said with sincerity, “I saw my director get cut down in a hail of phaser fire. Before I was about to die, Dean gunned down his Hiocean comrade in the back. He was then rewarded for sparing our lives.”
“What did you do in the war, sir?” Wade asked him.
“I was a logistics officer.” He said, flipping through the pages, “The Hioceans Hierarchy saw that what was needed to help the humans rebuild was compassion and mercy. I was given the High Governor job in High Town long after the war was over.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“First reason, I’ve been reading your file from Enforcer Station 18,” he said, patting the folder, “You’ve lost both your parents in the Three Year War. You have no reason to like Hioceans. You have every reason to despise us. However, I’m one of the select few who will easily admitted, using Earth as a neutral battle ground was a mistake. Too long had we looked down on races we though were lesser. I want you to trust me.”
Wade stared at him. He seemed sincere enough but it wasn’t like reading a human face. He could easily tell when one of them was lying. And as far as trusting Ellen; she could have been saying exactly what he wanted her to say. The bounty hunter looked at his friends briefly and then back at the governor. He needed more info. “And the second reason?” he asked.
“I wanted to give you some history on the Hiocean who betrayed us in Bermuda.” He said, “Nor is no longer a Brigadier in the Hiocean Star Armada. He is a rogue pirate in Northern Lands known as Nor The Soldier. He adopted that name to try and remind Hioceans that we should be patriotic in our cause. Rumor has it he had old WarBots, Lorns and even humans working for him. He has taken something very valuable to me. I want her back.”
Wade blinked from his last statement. “Her?” he asked.
Ellen then took a vidplate and walked over toward the bounty hunter. She pressed a gray button at the bottom of the panel and an image came up of a Hiocean female. However, she didn’t look like any typical female of the species. Her skin was a light blue and her “freckles” were darker. Instead of the typical jet black hair, hers was a light brown. “Vera Gul.” Ellen whispered, “Our daughter.”
Wade stared at the vidplate as Mikhail and Buddy stepped closer to look as well. The mutant twitched his nose, and realized the rumors were indeed true after all these years; human and Hiocean DNA was compatible. “Nor has finally taken his revenge on me by stealing my daughter away.” Gul whispered.
“Any demands of ransom?” Wade asked.
“No. He’s not interested in Hiocean wealth. He is interested in hurting me.”
“Where are they?” Mikhail asked.
“He’s established a base where most fear to go. The Crater.” The Governor whispered.
Wade gently put down the vidplate. He knew of where The Crater was; back during his time, it was the thriving city known as Chicago. It was re-dubbed The Crater because a vast Hiocean warship crashed into Lake Michigan. Not only was the water destroying the city in a massive tidal wave; the fusion reactor went off and decimated the whole place. The human government declared it as disaster area and New Chicago was being built where Hoboken use to be. It didn’t change the fact that The Crater was still used as a hideout for smugglers, pirates and various criminals. Not to mention the abundance of mutants and dying creatures that still inhabit the region. “You and your friends were chosen because of the Enforcer file, Mr. Wade.” Governor Gul said, standing up, “Of all the hunters working in the Mid-Way and Low Town, you have a 94% success rate. Every criminal you’ve been forced to kill has been in self defense. You’ve kept your nose out of trouble. I want you to take this job. Name your price.”
“My price might be pretty steep.” Wade crossed his arms, “I had no idea that we were venturing into The Crater.”
“Where our daughter is concerned, money is not object.” The High Governor quickly said.
Wade took a deep breath and looked toward his best friends. Mikhail had no eyebrows but he gave his friend the look of trust. Buddy gently patted his friend on the shoulder; a signal that he’ll always trust him. The bounty hunter looked back toward the High Governor. “The price will be 500,000 Hiocean credits,” he said, “I want a Sky Suite for me and my friends, with full access to the Hydroponics Farm. And to insure I bring her back safely, I want an all terrain hovercar, which we will keep when the job is done.”
The High Governor then held up his mug of coffee to toast him.
“Done.” He whispered.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Part II Low Town
Part II Low Town
“Cheesburger in Paradise it ain’t”, Mikhail rattled off. The vehicle limped its way to only place one could find a burger in Low Town. The place could be mistaken for another abandoned building if not for the fresh paint above the doorway that reads “Low Town Tavern – Hell’s Rest Stop” in a very dull red color.
Wade and the others exit the vehicle. The rest of Low Town did not fare much better during or after the war. This community use to be vibrant and alive – bustling with thousands. The kids roamed the streets in the long Summer months, shops were small and friendly – families knew each other.
Wade eves draw a bead on a derelict playground. “And now this…” he thought to himself. The entire town is encased in a layer of dirt, grime and decay. The only commodity still flourishing here is death. “If hell has a rest stop were are in it”, mumbling to himself.
Every building, street corner has a memory for him or worse – a ghosts. He and Buddy spent three years hiding here. That’s long enough to distort any mans vision. The town stretches further up and out but most if empty – left to rot back into the earth. The only ones that care are us lucky few who stay.
“You coming boss”, Buddy asked.
“Yea, grab Kreeger. Must be your lucky day. First I don’t kill you and second you might be in time for one of the best burgers this side of the blue zone.” Buddy makes sure Kreeger is well secured with the cuffs and with some help makes the bounty walk. Kreeger has no choice as the other option is not good – a smiling Mikhail all too ready to unleash his fury upon him.
The four of them stride inside. Now you might assume the interior has been redone or updated but you would be wrong. The inside has the same urban decay as everything else but with a bit more color.
Kreeger is chained to the counter top near the end of the bar – above him reads “This area designated as the shit hole”. “Suits you just fine Kreeger – we will be just over here so don’t get any ideas I don’t want you to find out how good of shot I really can be.”
Wade, Buddy and Mikhail take command of the table. It’s facing the front entrance and near enough to the back door. Rule #1 never leave your back to a door wade remembers some old soldier taught him. Another one that sticks in his mind is “If you are in a fight and get shot – fall forward so you can keep firing”. Wade not sure why that one has stuck so long in his brain. It’s like a song you can’t get rid of.
Now Low Town Tavern has your run of the mill folk in there. The owner is an ex-solder of war and he looks like it. I call him “Emerson” but others call him “Sergeant”. Either way he could kill you with looks alone. He has more scars then flesh and more tattoos then scars. He eats and shits military and loves to talk about the good old days. Emerson came out here a few years ago – told us he was tired of the bureaucracy but I could tell – without a war he wasn’t doing what he was good at. So he came here which is as pretty close to war you can get.
The sweet mamma on the grill is his girl Liz – not sure if they really are a couple but the fight like they are married. She is long to look at – the only rose in this garbage pile of shit. Her story is true of many who came out here – trouble back in the cities. She has never spoken to us about it but with her curse words and temper we fill in the blanks. I guess she feels safe here. That’s a sad thought. Damn fine cook though.
Others ramble in – we have the town drunk Rooster. Makes his own swill and if it don’t juice you the first time you can use it as fuel. He is pretty well useless but harmless. There’s Sateen brothers – they look like trouble but I doubt either of them have seen action. They used to have a mother out here – I think they came looking and never left.
Our Mayor – David Kole Coulture. We call him The Mayor since he acts like it. He wants a public forum on all things, even tried to organize us with no luck. The damned really do not need a union. He found his place in the bottom of some of Roosters swill. I am sure he has a longer sad story but honestly I don’t care.
The resident prostitute, Mary Kelly. With a name like that must be Irish. She’s a tough cookie to crack – not exactly easy on the eyes. I think she likes the title even she has never earned it. Hard to play tricks out here. Water and food mean more then much else.
Our good Sherriff William Morrisey. Bitter, old and angry but I would not bet against him in an old style pig-sticker fight. He has helped me and Buddy out a few times. He believes in the badge just not always in the means. He lets folks – live and let live. Out here in Low Town there’s no real law but what we set forth and that usually is who draws quicker.
They are others but I don’t know them well enough or they are passing through to a better life. Many who do live out here have some plan – to harvest the waste or rebuild.
“What do you want and what is that?” , Emerson yells across the room. “We need some burgers Sergeant”, Mikhail shouts back. “And that”, Wade interjects, “is my bounty and he is the shit house. Better give him a burger as well. Where he is going it is unlikely have this good of food”.
“Nice of you come back by”, Liz mentions as she throws the burgers down on the grill. “I thought maybe you went and got yourself killed. And honey you still are showing some blue there”. Wade had not notice he still had some of the blue biological on him, embarrassed, like a teenager on a first date, casually wipes it off.
“Now you just get to cooking”, Emerson mopes around to deliver drinks and inspect the bounty. “He doesn’t look like much – have anything good?”
“Hiocean money”, Mikhail barks as he flashes it. “How about a trade?” Emerson nods – “Sure kid – name your poison”.
“Oh you know what my kind likes – I want the bottle this time”, coiling into his chair, smiling as Emerson goes back to deliver good on the trade.
Just then a blur of motion as little Amanda comes running over to wade and plopping down in his lap. “Uncle Wade – where have you been – you smell”. “Good to see you to Amanda – where is your Mom at?” “She is out searching again – seeing what junk is around. Want to see what I found? Wade nods. Amanda pulls out a small Barbie doll, slightly burnt. “I am going to call her Alice – do you want to hold here.
Buddy and Mikhail can only keep their laughter to mild stifle. “Not right now Amanda – why don’t you say hello to Buddy and get going- taverns not a place for you. Ok?” Amanda gets downs and moves over to give Buddy a giant hug and then in a flash she vanishes out the door.
“No place for a kid”, Mikhail states with Buddy in agreement. Wade looks around at the place – “No place for much at all.”
Emerson comes over and slams the bottle down at Mikhail. All right you Blue Zoner – fork it over. Mikhail hands over the money and opens the bottle – “Awww’ that’s what I call sweet death.”
“How can you drink that swill?”, Kreeger barks.
“What about him?”, Emerson, glaring at Kreeger, “can we take him out back and beat the shit out of him? Did he have any weapons?”
“Just a gun – oh and a Bio”, Wade recalls knowing exactly what the reactions would be. Emerson grabs Kreeger by his collar, “A god damn Bio! You know what they can do – you know where you are kid – this is Low Town. Have you every seen what a Bio can do – I HAVE. I should kill you right now”, Emerson cocking his arm back, ready to strike.
From the doorway a voice – not deep or horsy like the others. This one has an accent and is clean.
“That would be my job”.
Wade, Mikhail and Buddy glance over. In the door way stands a figure cloaked in a shiny black duster. Eyes cover in specs, a scarf of sorts surround his neck. His bald white head just has a touch of pink now. He takes two steps forward – ingesting the surrounds that befall him. All take notice except the Sherriff.
The figure removes the specs and delicately places them within his jacket. With a gloved hand a motion and two more men enter. These are soldiers. They look it - dressed head to toe in armor and weapons. Their faces covered in helmets and visors. Wade only thinks how hot it must be for them. They are armed to the teeth bathed in the best technology the government has. This doesn’t concerns wade very much.
“Government agents”, Wade tells Buddy and Mikhail.
Emerson steps forward. “What do your kind want around here?”
The Bald leader merely smirks. “We merely want to take part your establishments’ pleasant atmosphere – to enjoy a good burger from the lovely Liz or how a small conference with your local sheriff. Is that too much to ask Sergeant Emerson Rowe?”
Now he has everybody’s attention including Wade.
“Ok you know us what about you and your friends here? They want to talk as well?” Emerson cautiously asks.
“They are here to see nothing bad happens, that Low Town stays the same quiet place it has been all these years. No, I come to talk to that man over there”, gesturing towards Wade. Wade is somewhat surprised – not to mention what Buddy and Mikhail think. Kreeger smiles at a nasty thought.
Wade watches as the man in black saunters slowly over – almost afraid to touch anything. He is not use to this environment. Doesn’t mean he is any less dangerous. The walking dead bodyguards stumble over with him.
My name is Jonathan Krill – I work for the Government if you had not already guessed. These are my associates. There are many like them outside. Oh what do we have here? “, standing before the cuffed Kreeger. “A prisoner? – oh goody”. Kreeger senses this guy might not be as friendly as Wade.
Mikhail riffs off, “He is our bounty thank you very much. We will taking him in for a small reward”. Buddy and Wade watch intently slowly moving their hands to the hip holsters.
Wade is more focused on the two armed guards. Well not welcomed, it is not uncommon for government agents to vector so far inside this area – usually looking for trouble. The two guards
look menacing with their technology doesn’t give them the surprise Wade looks for. Out here it’s your cunning that keeps you alive. These boys intimidate by looks and show of force. Wade has seen too much for that to happen to him or his group.
Krill measures up Kreeger, playing with his cuffs. “Well then you should be aware by Bounty Law 3.54.11 Bylaw 4 -- All prisoners who come in contact with Government agents are therefore considered government property and due process can begin immediately. You can of course submit an Article of Bounty claim with the courts but he is ours. Take care of him”, Krill says coldly.
“Wait just one minute”, Mikhail rises – Buddy trying to keep him calm.
“No I will not wait”, Krill states. Mikhail is on his feet but Buddy restrains him. One of the guards walks up to Kreeger and without hesitation produces what looks like a cell phone device – it is not. Wade knows what exactly it is but it is already too late.
“Get that bloody thing away from me Kreeger shouts to no avail. The guard fires and two small wires shoot out and hit Kreeger directly in the chest. A blue arc of electricity flows from the device to Kreeger. Soon smokes emulates from his head and arms. That burnt flesh smell fills the air.
Liz huddles by Emerson who is only a few feet away from his concealed gun. The Sheriff barely raises an eyelid to the whole commotion.
Wade watches as Kreeger’s face becomes frozen in horror and pain and his eyes draw back. The stream of electricity is broken and Kreeger slumps to the floor – oozing of burnt flesh and smoke rising from his form. Wade’s glare turns back the Krill.
“I love my job- case closed. Remove this corpse. “, Krill moves over closer to Mikhail, who is sits in amazement of the whole thing, “You see we have to dispose of them like this – burn them inside and out because there is a rampart problem of organ harvesting from outside the Blue Zone and this way we are sure nothing of value can come from him anymore. They do tend to smell more though.”
Buddy is uneasy with Krill marching around them. “And what is this – an illegal liquor”, grasping at Mikhail’s bottle. “Emerson Rowe I am surprised at a man of your history would allow such a blatant disregard of the law to happen her – that could close you down.”
Krill hovers over Mikhail who almost to the point of boiling over. Krill gets right to his ear, “You must be a Blue Zoner – only your kind would drink this swill”, Krill takes a whiff and snarls at it.
“So good riddance – we do not want any law breakers around these parts do we”, Krill slowly pours the contents out. Wade is not sure who is more angry – Mikhail losing his bottle or Emerson having his place abused. Krill sets down the empty bottle in front of Mikhail.
“And you must be Buddy – nice name. A Lorn I assume, notice the blank stare you are giving me. Bigger then most – must be the burgers”, Krill smiles at Liz and Emerson.
Emerson gives a grimace to the comment.
Wade is tired of the tactics. “What do you want agent man?”
“You must be Wade.” Krill pulls up the seat directly across from him, “it is a pleasure to meet you, beg your pardon for not shaking hands but you can see I am not accustomed to these parts – I prefer a more clean environment in which to work.” Krill is now measuring up wade and his partners.
Wade finger inch closer to his gun, every so slow. Wade wants to know other then Krill’s guard and what he promises are more outside what else he brings to the table. Krill, just for a moment lets out a slight smile at wade and then proceeds to test the table for dirt before setting his arms on it.
“I would not want you or your friends here hurt by a misunderstanding so if you would please remove your fingers from your guns every so slowly.”
They all notice his guards already drawing a bead on them. Wade nods to Mikhail and Buddy – they all relax a bit but don’t move their hands by much. No fair fights around here.
An Empath - great Wade thinks. “Nice trick”.
“Oh no trick Wade – just one of my many talents.” Krill face becomes sullen and he stares with his cold blue eyes at Wade.
“The High Governor would like to speak to you.”
“Cheesburger in Paradise it ain’t”, Mikhail rattled off. The vehicle limped its way to only place one could find a burger in Low Town. The place could be mistaken for another abandoned building if not for the fresh paint above the doorway that reads “Low Town Tavern – Hell’s Rest Stop” in a very dull red color.
Wade and the others exit the vehicle. The rest of Low Town did not fare much better during or after the war. This community use to be vibrant and alive – bustling with thousands. The kids roamed the streets in the long Summer months, shops were small and friendly – families knew each other.
Wade eves draw a bead on a derelict playground. “And now this…” he thought to himself. The entire town is encased in a layer of dirt, grime and decay. The only commodity still flourishing here is death. “If hell has a rest stop were are in it”, mumbling to himself.
Every building, street corner has a memory for him or worse – a ghosts. He and Buddy spent three years hiding here. That’s long enough to distort any mans vision. The town stretches further up and out but most if empty – left to rot back into the earth. The only ones that care are us lucky few who stay.
“You coming boss”, Buddy asked.
“Yea, grab Kreeger. Must be your lucky day. First I don’t kill you and second you might be in time for one of the best burgers this side of the blue zone.” Buddy makes sure Kreeger is well secured with the cuffs and with some help makes the bounty walk. Kreeger has no choice as the other option is not good – a smiling Mikhail all too ready to unleash his fury upon him.
The four of them stride inside. Now you might assume the interior has been redone or updated but you would be wrong. The inside has the same urban decay as everything else but with a bit more color.
Kreeger is chained to the counter top near the end of the bar – above him reads “This area designated as the shit hole”. “Suits you just fine Kreeger – we will be just over here so don’t get any ideas I don’t want you to find out how good of shot I really can be.”
Wade, Buddy and Mikhail take command of the table. It’s facing the front entrance and near enough to the back door. Rule #1 never leave your back to a door wade remembers some old soldier taught him. Another one that sticks in his mind is “If you are in a fight and get shot – fall forward so you can keep firing”. Wade not sure why that one has stuck so long in his brain. It’s like a song you can’t get rid of.
Now Low Town Tavern has your run of the mill folk in there. The owner is an ex-solder of war and he looks like it. I call him “Emerson” but others call him “Sergeant”. Either way he could kill you with looks alone. He has more scars then flesh and more tattoos then scars. He eats and shits military and loves to talk about the good old days. Emerson came out here a few years ago – told us he was tired of the bureaucracy but I could tell – without a war he wasn’t doing what he was good at. So he came here which is as pretty close to war you can get.
The sweet mamma on the grill is his girl Liz – not sure if they really are a couple but the fight like they are married. She is long to look at – the only rose in this garbage pile of shit. Her story is true of many who came out here – trouble back in the cities. She has never spoken to us about it but with her curse words and temper we fill in the blanks. I guess she feels safe here. That’s a sad thought. Damn fine cook though.
Others ramble in – we have the town drunk Rooster. Makes his own swill and if it don’t juice you the first time you can use it as fuel. He is pretty well useless but harmless. There’s Sateen brothers – they look like trouble but I doubt either of them have seen action. They used to have a mother out here – I think they came looking and never left.
Our Mayor – David Kole Coulture. We call him The Mayor since he acts like it. He wants a public forum on all things, even tried to organize us with no luck. The damned really do not need a union. He found his place in the bottom of some of Roosters swill. I am sure he has a longer sad story but honestly I don’t care.
The resident prostitute, Mary Kelly. With a name like that must be Irish. She’s a tough cookie to crack – not exactly easy on the eyes. I think she likes the title even she has never earned it. Hard to play tricks out here. Water and food mean more then much else.
Our good Sherriff William Morrisey. Bitter, old and angry but I would not bet against him in an old style pig-sticker fight. He has helped me and Buddy out a few times. He believes in the badge just not always in the means. He lets folks – live and let live. Out here in Low Town there’s no real law but what we set forth and that usually is who draws quicker.
They are others but I don’t know them well enough or they are passing through to a better life. Many who do live out here have some plan – to harvest the waste or rebuild.
“What do you want and what is that?” , Emerson yells across the room. “We need some burgers Sergeant”, Mikhail shouts back. “And that”, Wade interjects, “is my bounty and he is the shit house. Better give him a burger as well. Where he is going it is unlikely have this good of food”.
“Nice of you come back by”, Liz mentions as she throws the burgers down on the grill. “I thought maybe you went and got yourself killed. And honey you still are showing some blue there”. Wade had not notice he still had some of the blue biological on him, embarrassed, like a teenager on a first date, casually wipes it off.
“Now you just get to cooking”, Emerson mopes around to deliver drinks and inspect the bounty. “He doesn’t look like much – have anything good?”
“Hiocean money”, Mikhail barks as he flashes it. “How about a trade?” Emerson nods – “Sure kid – name your poison”.
“Oh you know what my kind likes – I want the bottle this time”, coiling into his chair, smiling as Emerson goes back to deliver good on the trade.
Just then a blur of motion as little Amanda comes running over to wade and plopping down in his lap. “Uncle Wade – where have you been – you smell”. “Good to see you to Amanda – where is your Mom at?” “She is out searching again – seeing what junk is around. Want to see what I found? Wade nods. Amanda pulls out a small Barbie doll, slightly burnt. “I am going to call her Alice – do you want to hold here.
Buddy and Mikhail can only keep their laughter to mild stifle. “Not right now Amanda – why don’t you say hello to Buddy and get going- taverns not a place for you. Ok?” Amanda gets downs and moves over to give Buddy a giant hug and then in a flash she vanishes out the door.
“No place for a kid”, Mikhail states with Buddy in agreement. Wade looks around at the place – “No place for much at all.”
Emerson comes over and slams the bottle down at Mikhail. All right you Blue Zoner – fork it over. Mikhail hands over the money and opens the bottle – “Awww’ that’s what I call sweet death.”
“How can you drink that swill?”, Kreeger barks.
“What about him?”, Emerson, glaring at Kreeger, “can we take him out back and beat the shit out of him? Did he have any weapons?”
“Just a gun – oh and a Bio”, Wade recalls knowing exactly what the reactions would be. Emerson grabs Kreeger by his collar, “A god damn Bio! You know what they can do – you know where you are kid – this is Low Town. Have you every seen what a Bio can do – I HAVE. I should kill you right now”, Emerson cocking his arm back, ready to strike.
From the doorway a voice – not deep or horsy like the others. This one has an accent and is clean.
“That would be my job”.
Wade, Mikhail and Buddy glance over. In the door way stands a figure cloaked in a shiny black duster. Eyes cover in specs, a scarf of sorts surround his neck. His bald white head just has a touch of pink now. He takes two steps forward – ingesting the surrounds that befall him. All take notice except the Sherriff.
The figure removes the specs and delicately places them within his jacket. With a gloved hand a motion and two more men enter. These are soldiers. They look it - dressed head to toe in armor and weapons. Their faces covered in helmets and visors. Wade only thinks how hot it must be for them. They are armed to the teeth bathed in the best technology the government has. This doesn’t concerns wade very much.
“Government agents”, Wade tells Buddy and Mikhail.
Emerson steps forward. “What do your kind want around here?”
The Bald leader merely smirks. “We merely want to take part your establishments’ pleasant atmosphere – to enjoy a good burger from the lovely Liz or how a small conference with your local sheriff. Is that too much to ask Sergeant Emerson Rowe?”
Now he has everybody’s attention including Wade.
“Ok you know us what about you and your friends here? They want to talk as well?” Emerson cautiously asks.
“They are here to see nothing bad happens, that Low Town stays the same quiet place it has been all these years. No, I come to talk to that man over there”, gesturing towards Wade. Wade is somewhat surprised – not to mention what Buddy and Mikhail think. Kreeger smiles at a nasty thought.
Wade watches as the man in black saunters slowly over – almost afraid to touch anything. He is not use to this environment. Doesn’t mean he is any less dangerous. The walking dead bodyguards stumble over with him.
My name is Jonathan Krill – I work for the Government if you had not already guessed. These are my associates. There are many like them outside. Oh what do we have here? “, standing before the cuffed Kreeger. “A prisoner? – oh goody”. Kreeger senses this guy might not be as friendly as Wade.
Mikhail riffs off, “He is our bounty thank you very much. We will taking him in for a small reward”. Buddy and Wade watch intently slowly moving their hands to the hip holsters.
Wade is more focused on the two armed guards. Well not welcomed, it is not uncommon for government agents to vector so far inside this area – usually looking for trouble. The two guards
look menacing with their technology doesn’t give them the surprise Wade looks for. Out here it’s your cunning that keeps you alive. These boys intimidate by looks and show of force. Wade has seen too much for that to happen to him or his group.
Krill measures up Kreeger, playing with his cuffs. “Well then you should be aware by Bounty Law 3.54.11 Bylaw 4 -- All prisoners who come in contact with Government agents are therefore considered government property and due process can begin immediately. You can of course submit an Article of Bounty claim with the courts but he is ours. Take care of him”, Krill says coldly.
“Wait just one minute”, Mikhail rises – Buddy trying to keep him calm.
“No I will not wait”, Krill states. Mikhail is on his feet but Buddy restrains him. One of the guards walks up to Kreeger and without hesitation produces what looks like a cell phone device – it is not. Wade knows what exactly it is but it is already too late.
“Get that bloody thing away from me Kreeger shouts to no avail. The guard fires and two small wires shoot out and hit Kreeger directly in the chest. A blue arc of electricity flows from the device to Kreeger. Soon smokes emulates from his head and arms. That burnt flesh smell fills the air.
Liz huddles by Emerson who is only a few feet away from his concealed gun. The Sheriff barely raises an eyelid to the whole commotion.
Wade watches as Kreeger’s face becomes frozen in horror and pain and his eyes draw back. The stream of electricity is broken and Kreeger slumps to the floor – oozing of burnt flesh and smoke rising from his form. Wade’s glare turns back the Krill.
“I love my job- case closed. Remove this corpse. “, Krill moves over closer to Mikhail, who is sits in amazement of the whole thing, “You see we have to dispose of them like this – burn them inside and out because there is a rampart problem of organ harvesting from outside the Blue Zone and this way we are sure nothing of value can come from him anymore. They do tend to smell more though.”
Buddy is uneasy with Krill marching around them. “And what is this – an illegal liquor”, grasping at Mikhail’s bottle. “Emerson Rowe I am surprised at a man of your history would allow such a blatant disregard of the law to happen her – that could close you down.”
Krill hovers over Mikhail who almost to the point of boiling over. Krill gets right to his ear, “You must be a Blue Zoner – only your kind would drink this swill”, Krill takes a whiff and snarls at it.
“So good riddance – we do not want any law breakers around these parts do we”, Krill slowly pours the contents out. Wade is not sure who is more angry – Mikhail losing his bottle or Emerson having his place abused. Krill sets down the empty bottle in front of Mikhail.
“And you must be Buddy – nice name. A Lorn I assume, notice the blank stare you are giving me. Bigger then most – must be the burgers”, Krill smiles at Liz and Emerson.
Emerson gives a grimace to the comment.
Wade is tired of the tactics. “What do you want agent man?”
“You must be Wade.” Krill pulls up the seat directly across from him, “it is a pleasure to meet you, beg your pardon for not shaking hands but you can see I am not accustomed to these parts – I prefer a more clean environment in which to work.” Krill is now measuring up wade and his partners.
Wade finger inch closer to his gun, every so slow. Wade wants to know other then Krill’s guard and what he promises are more outside what else he brings to the table. Krill, just for a moment lets out a slight smile at wade and then proceeds to test the table for dirt before setting his arms on it.
“I would not want you or your friends here hurt by a misunderstanding so if you would please remove your fingers from your guns every so slowly.”
They all notice his guards already drawing a bead on them. Wade nods to Mikhail and Buddy – they all relax a bit but don’t move their hands by much. No fair fights around here.
An Empath - great Wade thinks. “Nice trick”.
“Oh no trick Wade – just one of my many talents.” Krill face becomes sullen and he stares with his cold blue eyes at Wade.
“The High Governor would like to speak to you.”
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Part 1: Bounty in the Warland
In far distance corner of the Warland, the lone human ran toward his vehicle. Bernard Kreeger was a simple man; who managed to land on a fortune of fake ID’s to Big Town. He did what any other simple man would have done; tried to sell them. It was his own mistake; he wasn’t a rookie con-man. He wasn’t a con man; PERIOD. He just saw his chance to make some money, since money was so hard to come by these days. He just hoped he could reach his land rover.
His own salvation lay in the trunk; something he purchased from a rogue war-dealer long ago. If he could get to it, he might be able to hold out the people so intent to bring him back to the Enforcers. His own dumb luck; Enforcers don’t venture out into Warland. That’s the territory of the bounty hunters. “STOP RUNNING, KREEGER!!!” A voice echoed behind him.
“Leave me alone, Wade!” the weary man said, running down the old highway toward his vehicle in the distance.
“It’s not my fault you were trying to pass out fake ID’s to Big Town!” the bounty hunter grunted as he got his grappler ready to fire, “Now stand still and take your punishment like a man!”
“You go to Shingle, Lorn-Kisser!” Kreeger kept running.
Wade fired his grappler. The cylinder shot out of his cannon and exploded out into a wire net. The giant net flung itself over the con-artist as he screamed; hitting the highway. The bounty hunter ran up to him to secure him as fast as possible. He was greeted by a blade to his arm. Wade fell after in pain as Kreeger got toward his feet; net and all. The hunter grabbed his gun and kept running. The con-artist wasn’t much further from his land rover. Wade didn’t know what weapons he had in there or if he was just using it to try and escape. Either way, he had to get him off of the Warland and back into Low Town. Then Wade’s thoughts were interrupted by the heavy and long strides of his Lorn companion. “BUDDY, GET HIM!!!” he screamed.
The Lorn known simply as Buddy had been Wade’s best friend since they were both young. Technically, Wade was the kid and Buddy was the hatchling but it’s all the same. At the present, their job was bounty hunting. It paid their rent fees and kept them eating. It also helped them to have something even more successful; a reputation. As soon as they grabbed Kreeger, it would be another notch in their career to one day find a resident in Big Town.
Kreeger got toward his vehicle and quickly got the trunk open. With desperation, he grabbed the long, dark red cylinder and frantically got it open. The moment the lid popped off; he started to dump the contents out on the road. The moment Buddy saw the creature that Kreeger was unleashing on them, he scooted to a halt and then quickly ran back toward his friend. “AMOEBA!” the lizard alien screamed in his gruff voice, “AMOEBA!!!”
Wade looked in shock at the biological weapon heading toward his friend. The dark blue blob wasn’t really a giant amoeba; it just looked like one. That’s why everybody called them that. The creature was probably in the stasis container for quiet a while and Buddy looked like the best meal it’s probably seen in years. The Lorn ran as fast as his massive legs could take him but the Amoeba was gaining speed. Wade knew the one thing that could take it was an incendiary but he wasn’t sure if he could throw it into the creature and not get Buddy caught in the blast. He only had a few seconds to make his decision and luckily his third best friend saved him the trouble.
The Amoeba was taken by the genetic lightning that came from the Blue Zoner named Mikhail. The bald man ran up and fired the electricity from his palms again, striking the blob. It didn’t hurt the blob in the slightest; it only gave it a more tasty meal to look for besides the Lorn it had been chasing. Mikhail launched his electricity again, and then started to run back toward Kreeger. As he did, he was bringing the Amoeba right back toward him. “FILTHY BLUE ZONER!!” the con-man screamed as he got into his vehicle.
“BUDDY!” Wade said, tossing him the incendiary.
“Gotcha, Jonny!” he said, as he pulled the pin and then hurled the fire bomb toward the Amoeba.
With his Lorn strength, the incendiary soared through the air like a missile and landed easily the biological creature. Within seconds, the bomb went off and bathed the Amoeba in fire. Mikhail jumped out of the way as the creature flew apart in fiery junks; mostly landing on Kreeger’s vehicle. The con-artist screamed as he struck a nearby wrecked vehicle from his inability to see. He quickly got out and went back to running down the highway.
Wade leaped over the remaining of the burning Amoeba and ran a few more feet toward Kreeger. He then stopped, pulled out his .45 pistol and fired. The bullets struck the ground near the con-man’s feet and caused him to immediately stop and throw up his hands. He wasn’t too keen on being taken back to the Enforcers; he was even less thrilled of being shot with a gun from an age no longer applying to Earth. “A slug thrower?” Kreeger stammered, “You’re a sick bastard Wade.”
“Shut your hole, Kreeger.” Wade kept the gun on him, “I should shoot you in the foot for sending a damn Amoeba after us.”
“Hey. I’m going to the camps for life now. What would you do?”
Mikhail placed on his grounding gloves and took each of Kreeger’s hands and placed them in cuffs. “How about not break the law to begin with?” the bald man whispered.
“Great, now I am being touched by a Blue Zoner. I’m probably sterile by now.” The con-artist grunted.
“We got a long way back to Low Town, Kreeger.” Wade said, putting his weapons in his combat vest, “I wouldn’t advise making fun of Mikhail’s condition. He doesn’t like it.”
“If anybody should hate the Hioceans, it should be you, Blue Zoner.” Kreeger spit as they walked back toward the bounty hunter’s vehicle, “Perhaps you remember what made you what you are. I’ll bet even your parent’s crystallize corpses are still in the hospital where you were born.”
Mikhail stopped him and then stared at him. His soft blue eyes glowed briefly. Kreeger’s lips flickered a bit, wondering if the bald man was going to electrocute him. “Wade’s right. It’s still a long drive.” Mikhail whispered, “I’d advise you to keep your mouth shut.”
Wade slung off his grappler and put it on the side mount of his vehicle. Mikhail shoved Kreeger toward the vehicle, making him grunt as his stomach collided with the side of the transport. The con-man then made a whining sound as Buddy picked him up and set him inside the vehicle. The moment he sat down, Wade took another chain and secured his cuffs. It was a little of a rough go of it but job well done.
Mikhail came over with an old worn down duffle bag and set it on the hood of their transport. “We found his stash, Jonny.” The bald man told him.
Wade walked over and took the duffle bag; unzipping it. Inside were various fake ID’s, creds and Hiocean money. The bounty hunter took one and looked at it. He’d seen a few in his time; the only different was, the thumb print was green; not yellow. Kreeger might have been able to pass these off, telling the Low Townies that the ID’s just simply old. However, it was one of the reasons that Hioceans changed the color every year for the express purpose of keeping track of fake ID’s. Wade sighed, because it reminded him of his father and buying a vehicle tag every year. However, that was way before the Three Year war. Back before Wade lost both his mother and father. The bounty hunter sniffed, zipped up the bag and tossed it in the back next to Kreeger. “Not bad, Kreeger.” He said, getting in the driver’s seat, “You might have been able to get a hefty stack of creds before the Enforcers iced you.”
“I guess we’ll never know now.” He muttered, completely depressed.
Buddy sat up in the trunk area; modified to act as a seat for him, behind Kreeger. Mikhail got in the passenger’s seat while Wade stared the vehicle up. He glanced up at the remains of the plaza before him. The wind had destroyed most of it, as did the war. On the far corner of the plaza was a Mexican restaurant. To the side was a dry cleaners with all its windows smashed. However, it was to his left that caught his attention.
It was a destroyed Screen Time Video store.
Wade remembered raiding the video store when he was trapped in the mall for three years with Buddy. It kept him sane. It kept him from missing his family. He even remembered his mother taking him to find a copy of Treasure Planet. He remembered loving the space age take on the classic story. He never realized that the space age would destroy the type of life he and his family were living. “Wade, you okay?” Mikhail asked.
“Jonny thinking.” Buddy said, “Thinking of long ago.”
“Yeah, just thinking, Buddy.” The bounty hunter smiled, as he pulled the transport out of the plaza structure, “Now I’m thinking I want a Low Town burger. Wrangling fake taggers makes me work up an appetite.”
His own salvation lay in the trunk; something he purchased from a rogue war-dealer long ago. If he could get to it, he might be able to hold out the people so intent to bring him back to the Enforcers. His own dumb luck; Enforcers don’t venture out into Warland. That’s the territory of the bounty hunters. “STOP RUNNING, KREEGER!!!” A voice echoed behind him.
“Leave me alone, Wade!” the weary man said, running down the old highway toward his vehicle in the distance.
“It’s not my fault you were trying to pass out fake ID’s to Big Town!” the bounty hunter grunted as he got his grappler ready to fire, “Now stand still and take your punishment like a man!”
“You go to Shingle, Lorn-Kisser!” Kreeger kept running.
Wade fired his grappler. The cylinder shot out of his cannon and exploded out into a wire net. The giant net flung itself over the con-artist as he screamed; hitting the highway. The bounty hunter ran up to him to secure him as fast as possible. He was greeted by a blade to his arm. Wade fell after in pain as Kreeger got toward his feet; net and all. The hunter grabbed his gun and kept running. The con-artist wasn’t much further from his land rover. Wade didn’t know what weapons he had in there or if he was just using it to try and escape. Either way, he had to get him off of the Warland and back into Low Town. Then Wade’s thoughts were interrupted by the heavy and long strides of his Lorn companion. “BUDDY, GET HIM!!!” he screamed.
The Lorn known simply as Buddy had been Wade’s best friend since they were both young. Technically, Wade was the kid and Buddy was the hatchling but it’s all the same. At the present, their job was bounty hunting. It paid their rent fees and kept them eating. It also helped them to have something even more successful; a reputation. As soon as they grabbed Kreeger, it would be another notch in their career to one day find a resident in Big Town.
Kreeger got toward his vehicle and quickly got the trunk open. With desperation, he grabbed the long, dark red cylinder and frantically got it open. The moment the lid popped off; he started to dump the contents out on the road. The moment Buddy saw the creature that Kreeger was unleashing on them, he scooted to a halt and then quickly ran back toward his friend. “AMOEBA!” the lizard alien screamed in his gruff voice, “AMOEBA!!!”
Wade looked in shock at the biological weapon heading toward his friend. The dark blue blob wasn’t really a giant amoeba; it just looked like one. That’s why everybody called them that. The creature was probably in the stasis container for quiet a while and Buddy looked like the best meal it’s probably seen in years. The Lorn ran as fast as his massive legs could take him but the Amoeba was gaining speed. Wade knew the one thing that could take it was an incendiary but he wasn’t sure if he could throw it into the creature and not get Buddy caught in the blast. He only had a few seconds to make his decision and luckily his third best friend saved him the trouble.
The Amoeba was taken by the genetic lightning that came from the Blue Zoner named Mikhail. The bald man ran up and fired the electricity from his palms again, striking the blob. It didn’t hurt the blob in the slightest; it only gave it a more tasty meal to look for besides the Lorn it had been chasing. Mikhail launched his electricity again, and then started to run back toward Kreeger. As he did, he was bringing the Amoeba right back toward him. “FILTHY BLUE ZONER!!” the con-man screamed as he got into his vehicle.
“BUDDY!” Wade said, tossing him the incendiary.
“Gotcha, Jonny!” he said, as he pulled the pin and then hurled the fire bomb toward the Amoeba.
With his Lorn strength, the incendiary soared through the air like a missile and landed easily the biological creature. Within seconds, the bomb went off and bathed the Amoeba in fire. Mikhail jumped out of the way as the creature flew apart in fiery junks; mostly landing on Kreeger’s vehicle. The con-artist screamed as he struck a nearby wrecked vehicle from his inability to see. He quickly got out and went back to running down the highway.
Wade leaped over the remaining of the burning Amoeba and ran a few more feet toward Kreeger. He then stopped, pulled out his .45 pistol and fired. The bullets struck the ground near the con-man’s feet and caused him to immediately stop and throw up his hands. He wasn’t too keen on being taken back to the Enforcers; he was even less thrilled of being shot with a gun from an age no longer applying to Earth. “A slug thrower?” Kreeger stammered, “You’re a sick bastard Wade.”
“Shut your hole, Kreeger.” Wade kept the gun on him, “I should shoot you in the foot for sending a damn Amoeba after us.”
“Hey. I’m going to the camps for life now. What would you do?”
Mikhail placed on his grounding gloves and took each of Kreeger’s hands and placed them in cuffs. “How about not break the law to begin with?” the bald man whispered.
“Great, now I am being touched by a Blue Zoner. I’m probably sterile by now.” The con-artist grunted.
“We got a long way back to Low Town, Kreeger.” Wade said, putting his weapons in his combat vest, “I wouldn’t advise making fun of Mikhail’s condition. He doesn’t like it.”
“If anybody should hate the Hioceans, it should be you, Blue Zoner.” Kreeger spit as they walked back toward the bounty hunter’s vehicle, “Perhaps you remember what made you what you are. I’ll bet even your parent’s crystallize corpses are still in the hospital where you were born.”
Mikhail stopped him and then stared at him. His soft blue eyes glowed briefly. Kreeger’s lips flickered a bit, wondering if the bald man was going to electrocute him. “Wade’s right. It’s still a long drive.” Mikhail whispered, “I’d advise you to keep your mouth shut.”
Wade slung off his grappler and put it on the side mount of his vehicle. Mikhail shoved Kreeger toward the vehicle, making him grunt as his stomach collided with the side of the transport. The con-man then made a whining sound as Buddy picked him up and set him inside the vehicle. The moment he sat down, Wade took another chain and secured his cuffs. It was a little of a rough go of it but job well done.
Mikhail came over with an old worn down duffle bag and set it on the hood of their transport. “We found his stash, Jonny.” The bald man told him.
Wade walked over and took the duffle bag; unzipping it. Inside were various fake ID’s, creds and Hiocean money. The bounty hunter took one and looked at it. He’d seen a few in his time; the only different was, the thumb print was green; not yellow. Kreeger might have been able to pass these off, telling the Low Townies that the ID’s just simply old. However, it was one of the reasons that Hioceans changed the color every year for the express purpose of keeping track of fake ID’s. Wade sighed, because it reminded him of his father and buying a vehicle tag every year. However, that was way before the Three Year war. Back before Wade lost both his mother and father. The bounty hunter sniffed, zipped up the bag and tossed it in the back next to Kreeger. “Not bad, Kreeger.” He said, getting in the driver’s seat, “You might have been able to get a hefty stack of creds before the Enforcers iced you.”
“I guess we’ll never know now.” He muttered, completely depressed.
Buddy sat up in the trunk area; modified to act as a seat for him, behind Kreeger. Mikhail got in the passenger’s seat while Wade stared the vehicle up. He glanced up at the remains of the plaza before him. The wind had destroyed most of it, as did the war. On the far corner of the plaza was a Mexican restaurant. To the side was a dry cleaners with all its windows smashed. However, it was to his left that caught his attention.
It was a destroyed Screen Time Video store.
Wade remembered raiding the video store when he was trapped in the mall for three years with Buddy. It kept him sane. It kept him from missing his family. He even remembered his mother taking him to find a copy of Treasure Planet. He remembered loving the space age take on the classic story. He never realized that the space age would destroy the type of life he and his family were living. “Wade, you okay?” Mikhail asked.
“Jonny thinking.” Buddy said, “Thinking of long ago.”
“Yeah, just thinking, Buddy.” The bounty hunter smiled, as he pulled the transport out of the plaza structure, “Now I’m thinking I want a Low Town burger. Wrangling fake taggers makes me work up an appetite.”
The Sci-Fighters : Prologue
It was always joked that 2010 would be the year we make contact. Well, the Earth was visited by alien life but not in the way they were hoping.
The Hioceans and the Lorns had been at war for a while. It was over the same things that war was always fought over; land rights. One planet had decided they needed room to breathe and they chose another planet where they thought the life on that world was primitive and easy to subjugate. It was the first mistake the Hioceans made. The Lorns weren’t bred for war but they weren’t defenseless either. They fought back and managed to hold back the Hioceans.
But the war was taking its toll. The Lorns were gaining ground and the Hioceans were straining the budgets of their military just combat them. Then in order for them to get aide in getting toward the Lorn home world, they needed to set up a base on a far distance world. A backward world in the Terran system known simply as Earth. However, what the Hioceans didn’t calculate was that the Lorn’s thought the same thing. They quickly established a base on that distance world as well. The Hioceans landed in North America and the Lorns landed in Australia. Using their advanced weaponry, they began their war on Neutral territory.
Earth became the galactic Gettysburg.
It took 9 months for the Earthlings to determine if they would repel both alien invaders or join sides with them. The Hioceans didn’t seem to care for the humans either way. The Lorns didn’t care either but when they were in heavily populated areas; the giant lizard aliens didn’t hunt them down. They kept their focus on their true enemy. It didn’t stop the humans from dying in the conflict thought. Like helpless villagers in the Vietnam War, they were caught in the middle.
Three years went by and the war was over. The Lorns won but it was by default. The Hioceans had used up their economy fighting a war for a planet they needed their people to live on. The new chancellor of Hioceana funneled his own wealth and found another suitable planet with only animal life. It was a new beginning for the Hioceans and the chancellor made the peace gesture by offering the Lorns a peace treaty. Both worlds accepted the terms and agreed to one thing in particular.
Earth was their second and greatest mistake. The Hioceans and Lorns agreed that their soldiers on the planet would remain there and help the people of earth rebuild their world. If they liked what they saw in 80 years, those soldiers and their families would be allowed to return back toward their worlds.
Humanity began to rebuild itself; allowing the Hioceans and the Lorns to become integrated in their societies they have left after the three year war. It began twenty years ago and humanity is still struggling with their new alien neighbors . . . . . . . .
The Hioceans and the Lorns had been at war for a while. It was over the same things that war was always fought over; land rights. One planet had decided they needed room to breathe and they chose another planet where they thought the life on that world was primitive and easy to subjugate. It was the first mistake the Hioceans made. The Lorns weren’t bred for war but they weren’t defenseless either. They fought back and managed to hold back the Hioceans.
But the war was taking its toll. The Lorns were gaining ground and the Hioceans were straining the budgets of their military just combat them. Then in order for them to get aide in getting toward the Lorn home world, they needed to set up a base on a far distance world. A backward world in the Terran system known simply as Earth. However, what the Hioceans didn’t calculate was that the Lorn’s thought the same thing. They quickly established a base on that distance world as well. The Hioceans landed in North America and the Lorns landed in Australia. Using their advanced weaponry, they began their war on Neutral territory.
Earth became the galactic Gettysburg.
It took 9 months for the Earthlings to determine if they would repel both alien invaders or join sides with them. The Hioceans didn’t seem to care for the humans either way. The Lorns didn’t care either but when they were in heavily populated areas; the giant lizard aliens didn’t hunt them down. They kept their focus on their true enemy. It didn’t stop the humans from dying in the conflict thought. Like helpless villagers in the Vietnam War, they were caught in the middle.
Three years went by and the war was over. The Lorns won but it was by default. The Hioceans had used up their economy fighting a war for a planet they needed their people to live on. The new chancellor of Hioceana funneled his own wealth and found another suitable planet with only animal life. It was a new beginning for the Hioceans and the chancellor made the peace gesture by offering the Lorns a peace treaty. Both worlds accepted the terms and agreed to one thing in particular.
Earth was their second and greatest mistake. The Hioceans and Lorns agreed that their soldiers on the planet would remain there and help the people of earth rebuild their world. If they liked what they saw in 80 years, those soldiers and their families would be allowed to return back toward their worlds.
Humanity began to rebuild itself; allowing the Hioceans and the Lorns to become integrated in their societies they have left after the three year war. It began twenty years ago and humanity is still struggling with their new alien neighbors . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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