* * *
A Week Ago.
Pesque.
Derek thumbed through a loose-leafed copy of the Annals of Bounty Hunter History. It only went back aout 70 years, but it was covered with a thick layer of dust. The books in the lounge were just for show it seemed.
The words didn’t interest him. It only reminded him that he hadn’t read at all in years. What he was here for however was camouflage. He could blend into the area without drawing too much attention. If he had to pretend to be be intrigued by the exploits of some long dead person — that was how it would be.
“Jason’s moving again,” One man said. “That Nephilim just can’t stay in one place.”
“It’s fortunate for us that Vive only has two of those here,” Another said. “The Dragon and the Surgeon. Those two managed to muzzle the Rune Knights here. That is at least good for business.”
The men laughed heartily, moving on to a discussion of potential targets.
The Nephilim talk had been dominating the room, but Derek could barely make sense of it. He was out of the loop on current affairs, and those were what dictated the conversation.
“The Nephilim are the arms and legs of the Orisha.” He recalled West saying once. “There are never more than ten at any time, but they don’t really need to be. The power structure is a lot more nuanced than that, but the Nephilim are the main issue. They project ower through their lieutenants -- the Principalities. Each are mighty in their own right. It’s a good thing a Nephilim rarely has all their Principalities in one place.” West had paused them, he needed to steady himself before he continued. Derek would understand why in a moment.
“That is — until they decided to wipe out the Sunset Group and erase us from this world.”
“Why don’t the Rune Knights ever stop them?” Derek had asked, “They’re supposed to counter the Nephilim and Orisha.”
“More than anything -- the Rune Knights are preoccupied with existing. Sometimes, isolated pockets of Rune Knights need to make hard choices to stay alive,” West had said.
“I think I get it,” Derek had said.
“Really?” West had replied. “Let’s hear it. What have you got?”
“They’re cowards.”
“Yeah. I’m not going to be like the cowards who back down. I’ll be lie you and the Sunset people.”
“No fear,” West had said, “Sounds nice — but you’re just a boy. Fear is healthy. You don’t know anything yet, you haven’t seen the world. We’ll see of you can keep that same courage as you go on.”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t be afraid,” Derek had said. “Inside I’m shaking so much I can’t see straight — but being afraid and going on anyway — that’s not cowardice. Would you not say that’s true bravery?”
“Or foolishness,” West had said. “In the end, one would argue it depends on results. The Sunset group were foolish because we failed— but if we had succeeded…”
Derek’s ears now caught a conversation about the various bounty hunters on Vive. Derek felt a twinge of fear snake up his shoulder as he imagined bounty hunters like one Jibril chasing him. and shook his head vigorously. The feeling of being afraid was something that he should have vanquished years ago. He had overcome near death and years of isolation, nothing could compare to that hell.
There was no need to panic. He was here for Douglas West. If the other bounty hunters interfered with him — he’d simply knock them down.
“No fear,” He whispered. “No fear.”
* * *
Now
True, the prospect of facing down a Principality so soon sent daggers of feat through his body — but so what? He had promised Zeke and Simon he’d help them go home. So he would. This wasn’t his time to take the stage yet, not when all the cast-members hadn’t been convinced to participate. Douglas was on board, but he knew the two of them wouldn’t be enough by themselves. With that on his mind, he knew exactly what to say.
“Why would we be scared of a Nephilim’s pet when the Orisha are our target?” Derek met Douglas’ s grim expression with an open smile. “Besides, we’re paying back Zeke and Simon. It’s their decision.”
“My answer hasn’t changed,” Zeke growled.“I want to go there.”
“Wherever he goes, I go,” Simon jabbed a finger in his direction.
“What touching devotion -- I could almost shed a tear,” Rachel said “But that still doesn’t answer how we’re getting in.”
“These two haven’t been in there for years.” Douglas gestured at the two bounty hunters. “Although if we give up on getting the Thunderdome in, we could try going over the walls. It’d take a while to learn what obstacles are on there.“
“That’s not a problem for me.” Derek’s voice came from outside, He had stepped out of the Thunderdome with his own radio, holding it strangely in the light. “With my Godspark, I can find my own way inside.”
“How?” Zeke asked, “You’d be spotted if you tried scaling the walls.”
“You’d think so,” Derek grinned, “I have this ability I call my ‘Arachnid Awareness.’ With a little bit of focus -- I can sense everything around me for a good distance. Little changes in air-pressure made by movement, the location of objects, hidden doors and so on. As long as there’s a slight breeze, my body can more or less draw a map for me.”
“That’s useful,” Douglas said. “Another thing he helped you learn?”
“Yup!” The grin didn’t leave his face. “He helped me master the basics over a long few years.”
With a plan more or less crafted, the Thunderdome was hidden under various Runes. It would be invisible to anyone but Zeke and would never move from that spot. Douglas asked him why he didn’t want use his Runes when he met him at first, Zeke replied that he just hadn’t had time to. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself and have the Rune Knights come after him. Douglas didn’t ask why, Zeke didn’t volunteer a reason.
Infiltration went more or less smoothly. Derek found a spot where the guard would patrol, and then leave for 30 minutes. As soon as he left, he leapt over the wall. Douglas quickly followed. With a web line dangling over the wall for the rest to climb. Simon opted to follow them rather than possibly attracting attention by flying with Hephaestus.
Zeke let out a breath he didn’t realise he was holding when they finally stepped foot in Karn.
For the first time in years, he was home.
* * *
Karn County was a large place, Derek noted as he drank in the sights.
Aside from Pesque, Karn was the only other place he had seen since leaving Soltair. It was markedly different.
The towers they had seen from outside were only the tip of the iceberg. There were more of them inside, with men and women smartly bustling their way around Karn. It was less lethargic than Pesque, and there were considerably fewer bounty hunters too. He doubted this place would have any from what Douglas had described, it was strictly regimented.
Karn appeared to be a very commercial town. Douglas explained that it also had very strict regulations on trading between towns. Merchants could only come once a week and were siloed off into a warehouse where their goods were inspected. Then they were transferred to those who had requested them. Communication with the outside world was strictly one-way, and any outside communication was regimented. Karn was not alone in this. The people worldwide had gotten used to freedom being dependent on which faction dominated you or left you alone at any point.
In contrast to the trickle of imports, most of what was produced in Karn was sold in the town. The authorities were strict in ensuring that that remained the case.
“I haven’t been here in a long time,” Zeke said, uncharacteristically wistfully for him.
“Me neither,” Douglas added, “As a Marauder, we never really got to hang around long — wasn’t profitable for us.”
“Enough talk about your gangster past,” Zeke rolled his eyes. He was unimpressed by the Marauders and had been wary of Do
uglas ever since the latter had kidnapped him. While apologies and pleasantries had been exchanged, Zeke still didn’t trust him and didn’t think the man was out for anyone but himself. He would help Derek, that much was clear. The rest of them would have to look out for themselves as far as Douglas was concerned.
“My ‘gangster past’ knows more about this place than you do,” Douglas replied, “This is a detour we’re making for you, remember Zeke? There’s nothing we’re looking for in here.”
“There’s one more thing you forgot to mention.” Rachel said, she too had been drinking in the sights, but something had just occurred to her, “You mentioned The Zealot, and the Town-Taker, did you? They’re the people we should avoid at all costs, especially you Douglas, with your recognisable face.”
“I’m wearing a hat and sunglasses,” Douglas mock-pouted. “No one will see my face.”
“Don’t do that.” Simon glared at him.
“What?”
“Just don’t, it doesn’t suit you.”
Zeke had winced at the mention of Tyler, no one but Simon noticed. The latter put a hand on his shoulder, but he brushed it off.
Rachel continued, “Zeke just wants to see a little sightseeing in his old home-town before he leaves on our little Suicide mission. We’ve got our radios if we need them, right?”
“I’d like to head off right now,” Zeke said. “I’ve got a place I really want to check out, and don’t want to slow you guys down.”
“That’s fine,” Douglas said, “I’d like to see a little of this place myself. It’s alright if I meet you guys back outside tonight?”
“So this is the story of ‘Two Prodigal Sons Who Finally Came Home.’ Or something. I wont get in the way of that. We can meet up tonight, when we’re all done.” Derek said.
Everyone agreed, and they all split up. Simon and Zeke, Douglas, Rachel and Derek each going their separate ways to explore the promise of Karn County.
* * *
A pair of silver towers stood out in the town, symbolising its centre of power.
Karn County had been rebuilt years ago, and now stood stronger, more organised. More ordered. It was a mighty place, even if not everyone saw it that way.
Inside, in a certain room, the phone rang as it was expected to. This was a ritual that would happen every year in the town. There would be a phone call between two old friends, there would be an exchange of words, and the next week would be planned. They had no way of knowing this year’s Festival of Life would go so different, in their minds, this was all a routine call.
Dressed in a tight, fitted blue shirt and grey trousers to match his eyes, Timothy strode across the room with power befitting his physique and stature.
Timothy picked up the phone. It was Jason calling. The man was never a minute later, befitting of his epithet, ‘The Surgeon’. Never a bone of imprecision in him.
“How are the preparations coming along,” His assured, calm voice came over the phone.
“Perfectly well, the same as always,” Timothy replied. He walked over to the window as he did so. He enjoyed keeping an eye on the city he now administered. He liked to do that at times, it gave him a sense of purpose.
To most of the outside world, he was the mayor of Karn, and no one in the County could challenge that assertion. The original mayor had died 15 years ago, he had seen to that.
The screams that had adorned that night still plagued him from time to time, but it had to be done, as unpleasant is it may have been.
“There are no worries on our end Jason,” Timothy replied, “Everything’s ready for this week’s Festival of Life. All tourists are accounted for, and we’ve already earmarked the likely candidates for delivery to you.”
“Thank you for that. Though I must say, this scheme of yours is clever, though it hurts me to not have one of my trusted lieutenants by my side.”
“You flatter me. You have the Solas, Luke and Diana if you need local muscle, and it’d be a crowd if I joined.”
Jason laughed, “Well, there’s no trouble or you, means there’s no trouble for me. You sure you don’t want me to come down? Put the fear of God in a few people.”
“One of the revered Nephilim doesn’t need to make such a long trip,” Timothy replied. “No, that will not be necessary.”
Jason thanked him, and after a few more pleasantries were exchanged, the phone was hung up.
Timothy smiled. His mission, which had been passed down to him from above, was going well.
Chapter 11 - Hunters’ Tour
There weren’t very many bookshops in Karn County. There were two in the eastern district and another three in the central district.
This one Rachel visited was especially nice, located just inside the central district. It was a family run establishment and girded in colours of purple and red.
They sold mostly local fiction books, non-fiction books which spoke about history or politics or ideas like that were strictly prohibited. Even fictional books which espoused such ideas were banned.
It was no wonder that the Karn County librarians were ever frustrated, never able to actually provide more than a small selection of books.
Rachel was an interested reader, and she had been browsing the paperback section for a few minutes. There were books about romance, some adventure stories, and a thriller or two, about bounty hunters hunting some mysterious criminal. She chuckled, it was similar to her life. But she’d get it anyway. Picking up the book, The Adventure under the Forbidden Lake, she went to the store’s checkout.
She had enough points — the currency shared on Vive — to purchase it, and she planned on getting a drink and reading it quietly at a cafe before she was inevitably summoned to return to the Thunderdome.
Karn was a nice place. The fact that a Nephilim was the one controlling it especially meant that it would always be orderly. But she had seen nicer, and she didn’t want to overexpose herself.
“Excuse me, Miss…” She looked up at the cashier.
“For book purchases, we need your address.” She smiled at her. A form sat next to her on the table.
“Oh,” She said, “I’m sorry, I’m just a guest here, I don’t quite have an address on here.”
“That’s fine,” The bookkeeper said, “Your tourist card will do.”
Rachel made a big show of rummaging through her bag. “Oh, dear looks like I must have lost it somewhere.”
The woman shook her head in sympathy, offering an explanation, “I’m afraid I can’t sell you that, Miss. It’s the regulations you see.”
“Oh it’s fine,” Rachel replied, “I’m always dropping things here and there, that’s entirely my bad.”
After both sides made a show of apologising, Rachel was about to leave the store when the woman called her back.
“Just this once,” She was apologetic.“You look like a good person, and I love that writer. Do you know it’s a series?”
“Yes,” Rachel said, “I’m just catching up on the older books.”
They exchanged more idle chatter, but the transaction was now complete.
“Be best to pick up that tourist card now,” The woman warned as she passed Rachel her purchase, “Things get dicey around here if you don’t have one.”
“Of course, I know that.” Rachel smiled as she exited.
She walked out of the store, only noting the two men following her. It appeared the tourist card was more important than they had initially assumed. If they didn’t have the Thunderdome, they would be unable to stay in a hotel.
It seems that Timothy needed to keep track of everyone and everything. A security madman, not uncommon.
For their sakes, it was best they finished their business in Karn and left before they attracted any undue attention.
Back in the bookshop, Beatrice was faced with a dilemma. She had accepted payment for the book because her shop was short on income, and she needed to pay up what she owed quickly, but they were obligated to report any people who didn’t have
the required IDs.
It hadn’t always been like this, she thought to herself, but if the woman was innocent then she would straighten it out with Georgina.
As she called and gave a description, she wondered if she was doing the right thing.
* * *
If Derek had seen him, he would have mistaken him for Zeke at first glance. The man looked very much like the bounty hunter. His dark hair was also shaved and cut close to his skin. His body was exposed in a tank top that bore the Karn County initials, and he wore combat style boots on his feet. Their eyes were different. Where Zeke’s could spark warmth occasionally, the other was a cold green swamp. The other was taller too. He had a little bit more muscle on him. His cheekbones were more defined. After a moment, Derek would have decided that this man was decidedly not Zeke.
He would have been correct. The ‘Town Taker’ Tyler opened the door, stepping out of the cafe where he had his lunch. He was enjoying Karn’s cuisine on a nice day, two days before the County’s Summer Festival of Life. The feeling in the air was excitement, and tension. Tyler loved it.
He congratulated himself inwardly, they had done all this work and pushed Karn County into a strong, beautiful place where success was rewarded. He had also prevented the outright destruction of the County, though not everyone was grateful for that.
Forged Page 7
