“Reinforces what all of us think. The factory is the key, but as long as the Traditionalists are here, nothing we do will make a difference,” Joshua said as the group huddled together. “You say they’re probably watching us right now. Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Gunny?”
“Cut the head off the snake?”
“Exactly. If they are going to hit us when we least expect them, maybe we don’t give them that opportunity. Let’s introduce ourselves.”
Joshua looked from face to grimly determined face. The man-beast rolled his shoulders as he did before doing anything physical. Lucas hitched his weapons, taking his short sword out and swishing it through the air over his head.
Diego tightened his grip on his long spear, pulling his shield from behind his back, standing like a Zulu warrior of old.
The robot and the scientist stood idly by while the medic looked over his herbs and salves.
“Any emissions from the ship?” Joshua asked. Doctor Carroll punched a number of buttons on her data pad.
“Nothing. It’s electronically dead, not surprising.”
They walked as a group to the gangplank that led to an aft boarding deck.
“Looks like single file, people,” Joshua stated. “Me, Gunny, Doctor Carroll, Buck, Squatch, Diego, Lucas, and Andy bringing up the rear.”
“I think I would be of more use up front. I am quite robust and it also provides a clear line of fire for me in case we come up against anything unsavory,” the robot offered.
“We don’t want to lead with technology and scare them off. If they scatter, then we’ll never find them. Better have all the rats on one ship, sinking together.”
“I like that plan!” the robot declared. “Do I get to try and sink the ship? I’ve never sunk a ship before, but there’s always a first time for everything, isn’t there?”
“No, That was a figure of speech. You’re not going to sink the ship, robot. As much as I’d like to think anyone on here is our enemy, there may be some innocents,” Gunny stated. “Although, we could let God sort out that little bit, just in case someone gets caught in the cross fire.”
The robot looked at his railgun and the line of people in front of him heading for the gangplank. “It’ll probably be all of you,” he grumbled as he rolled forward, taking his place at the rear, a long way from the potential action.
Joshua brandished his short sword and rushed up the gangplank. He didn’t know why he felt in a hurry, but he did. The others sensed the urgency, too, as if more people would die if they took too long cleaning out the nest of cobras. If they took too long, the deaths would be their fault.
They stepped onto the back deck, climbed a short set of stairs and walked past a pool filled with a green slime. They didn’t bother to stop. They were on a mission. “Top down?” Joshua asked over his shoulder.
“Important people don’t sleep in the bilge,” Gunny answered.
“Up we go. Joshua walked through an archway and into three angry men.
“Who the hell are you?” one of them shouted. Gunny slapped a hand to his pistol and tried to find an angle where he could see what was in front of the Ranger.
“Who the hell are you?” Joshua shot back.
“Somebody who belongs here, unlike you. Get off our ship!”
“Hang on, I just want to talk.” Joshua pointed the tip of his short sword into its scabbard and sent it home. As he looked back up, he saw the fist too late to avoid it. The man’s grubby knuckles slammed into the Ranger’s mouth, splitting his lip and flattening his nose. Joshua swung, but his attacker jumped back.
The Ranger reached for his sword, but the man was on him again. Joshua dodged the blow and grabbed his filthy arm. He fought like a devil and the two went down. The other men started screaming and stopped from joining the fray when they caught sight of Gunny’s pistol pointed at their faces.
Doctor Carroll squeezed to the side of the sergeant who stopped her from going forward. When the men saw her, they unleashed a full broadside of expletives and name calling while Joshua continued to roll around on the deck with the first man.
“I’m sorry, is that what you really want to say to me?” the doctor asked in disbelief.
They continued unabated, increasing the color and three-dimensionality of their tirade.
“They’re starting to make me blush,” Gunny said out the side of his mouth.
“I’m impressed,” she admitted.
The crack of breaking bone halted their conversation. Joshua had gotten the upper hand and driven an elbow into the man’s ribs. He followed with a heel strike the man’s face. Joshua stood, pulling the man to his feet and throwing him into the other two. They half carried their injured fellow as they jumped through a hatch, slamming it behind them.
Joshua grimaced as he straightened his nose out. Blood ran freely down his face.
“You let those chumps kick your ass.”
“What are you talking about?” Joshua hacked a mouthful of bloody spit onto the deck.
“Let me through, I can help,” Buck said.
“No need. It’s nothing. Most of this blood is his.” He wiped his face on the back of his sleeve.
“I think it’s all yours,” Doctor Carroll said matter-of-factly.
“No it isn’t,” Joshua lied. “Didn’t you see? They had to carry him away. I thoroughly kicked his ass.”
“Whatever you say, boss man,” Gunny replied. “Don’t get any blood on me. You’re gross, and my bullet-proof vest is pretty sweet. I haven’t even broken a sweat in it. Not yet, anyway.”
Gunny removed a billy club with a metal band around the end. He carried that in his off hand, leaving his good hand to hang by his holster where the semi-automatic waited to be called into action. Gunny hesitated to use it because there were only four rounds for it. But nobody knew that beside him. He had a hard time not looking at the scientist’s laser pistol. It was the nicest he’d ever seen.
He could do some damage with that. He shrugged the thought away. “Lead on, just in case you get another opportunity to not get your ass kicked.”
Joshua sneered as he continued up the stairs, past the third, fourth, and fifth levels. He thought he heard people on most of the levels. They sounded like they were doing everyday stuff and not plotting the demise of Juneau. “I’m not sure who the bad guys are, Gunny,” Joshua shared when he reached the empty top deck.
They entered an open area with a faded “H” painted on the deck. There was a great view of Juneau on the port side and from starboard, they could see the islands in the sea dotting the ocean beyond the city.
“Looks like a whole lot of nothing up here,” Lucas said when he stood atop the deck.
The group pressed forward along a walkway that led to another open area. Besides a great view, there wasn’t a thing there, not even a stairway.
“Heading down,” Gunny said, turning to walk back.
“Wait, I see something,” Joshua said as he leaned over the railing. “The bridge is right beneath us.”
“I’ve got rope,” Lucas offered, stepping forward.
“I have a hundred feet if we need it,” Diego pulled a coil from his backpack.
“There may be a problem,” Andy suggested. All eyes turned to the robot. Joshua blew out a breath, shaking his head as he looked at the window.
So close yet so far.
“Hold my feet. I’ll take a look,” Diego suggested. He tied the rope around his waist and threw the end to Lucas. “Just in case he loses his grip.”
Squatch nodded. Josh found a spot where the windows were broken out. “Here.”
Diego went over with Squatch holding him by the ankles, trying not to let his bear-like claws dig in.
“Busted up consoles, broken windows, and a ship’s wheel, front and center of the space. There is a great view of the ship’s bow and our cargo ship docked in front,” he called out.
“Nobody in there?” Josh asked.
“Nah. It’s empty. Pull me up.” The
man-beast dragged the tall man back to the open deck. The others waited impatiently while he untied himself and coiled his rope.
Joshua led the way from the top deck, down one flight of stairs, and entered a small storage room with supplies for a casino: food, game machines, and broken furniture. In the next room, he could see people playing cards at tables. At a half-moon shaped stand-up bar, men were leering at a scantily clad woman spinning a vertical wheel that ticked while it spun. The men cheered as they tossed credits on the table.
Josh walked into the room. The players noticed the newcomers’ arrival, but didn’t stop what they were doing. Josh held his hands up to speak, but no one stopped talking.
“HEY! What the hell is he doing?” a man jumped up and rushed forward. He stood chest to chest with Joshua while pointing behind him. Josh didn’t turn to look, but he heard the sounds of someone cracking open one of the storage crates.
“He’s just doing what Crak Snackpole told him to do!” Josh retorted.
“No, he’s not,” the man argued.
“Yes, he is,” Josh insisted.
Gunny’s shoulders sagged for a moment before his hand dropped to rest on his pistol. He only had four bullets. He selected his targets from the fifteen players in the room.
“Crak Snackpole told us to come in here and do that thing.” Josh’s sword was in its scabbard. He began to doubt his negotiating skills. He was having no luck.
“I’m in awe of your charisma,” Gunny whispered from behind him.
The man glared toward the storeroom. “You have your hands all over my junk.”
“Just doing what Crak Snackpole told us to do,” Josh argued. “By the way, who the hell are you?”
Gunny slapped his forehead with his free hand.
“I’m Josh. Who the hell are you?”
“I’m not Josh,” the man replied.
“This is going great,” Gunny whispered.
“Psst,” the young woman called. Doctor Carroll looked over. “Join us in the game.”
The scientist stepped to the table, ignoring the Cro-Magnon looks of the other players. She started to tap on her data pad, calculating the odds for the play, before placing credits across a variety of spots on the table. The woman spun the wheel anew, thankful for the distraction. Doctor Carroll turned slowly to scan the room using the camera on her data pad to capture the faces of those present, for future reference.
“What’s your name. I can’t keep calling you Not Josh. All I want is to have a conversation.”
“Then tell him to get his hands off my junk.”
Gunny held a fist over his head in the classic military command to freeze in place. The crate lid continued to creak and groan as Diego worked at it, oblivious to the fact that all eyes were on him.
Buck nervously fingered his herbs and salve jars. His fingers dug more deeply into his pouch as he assumed he’d be needing his suture kit fairly soon. Lucas sat at an empty seat and threw a few credits into the kitty. They dealt him in.
The robot remained in the outer room. “Um, Diego? You may want to stop what you’re doing.”
The tall man looked around. “Just taking a look-see.”
“Exactly as Crak Snackpole told us to do.”
“You keep using that name, but you know not what you say.”
“Why do you say that?” Josh replied.
“Because I’m well read, and you seem to be someone who is where he doesn’t belong. My name is Jed and you need to leave.”
“Listen, Jed. Thanks for telling me your name. We’re building some trust here. I can feel it. Why do you think you know what orders Crak gives?”
The man hesitated before sizing up the others in the room. “Because when it comes to the casino, I answer to him and he lets me run the business as I need to. So keep your hands off my junk. If you care to place a wager, please do, otherwise, take your business elsewhere.”
“Our business is here and it’s with Crak Snackpole.”
“Smack Crackpole,” the Gunny said in a low voice.
“No,” Jed replied, putting his hands on his hips.
Diego walked into the room followed by the robot. When Jed saw the robot, that was it. “Get out,” he said in a dangerous voice.
Doctor Carroll scooped up her winnings and placed a single credit on a high risk bet. The men at the table scoffed and turned their attention to the spinning wheel. The doctor removed her laser pistol and hid it beneath the table top.
“We can’t do that, Jed. I’d like to meet with Crak. What will it take for you to make that happen?”
“You go alone, unarmed,” Jed quipped. Someone snorted from a nearby table.
“If that’s what it takes.” Josh removed his bow and handed it back to Gunny, who let it drop to the floor. Same with the belt, scabbard, and short sword.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“What I have to do,” Josh said.
Gunny shook his head, looking around the room to size up the targets. Two to one odds, but Josh was now unarmed. Two of the people were gaming. The robot looked to be maneuvering sideways at the back of the room in order to get a clear line of fire.
“Are you Crak’s number two?” Josh asked.
“Snack Lackpole,” Gunny said under his breath.
As the wheel ticked toward a stop, Doctor Carroll fired her laser pistol into the middle of it, exploding the game of chance into a shower of sparks. Smoke flowed from the newly started fire.
Chaos erupted in the room. Jed produced a knife and lunged at Josh. He turned at the last instant, sending the blade across his ribs instead of into his chest. Josh gasped at the searing pain that shot through his body.
Gunny held his pistol in one hand while his baton appeared in the other. He swung like a wild man, back and forth, holding two of his enemies at bay. The medic jumped back, only to get slashed by a sharpened leave spring, swung from somewhere within the tightly packed mob.
The man-beast roared his anger. He went berserk, tearing through the mass of the enemy, ripping apart the bodies of any who stood in his way. Five men’s shattered bodies were strewn across the room. The rest lost their nerve and bolted out the back door, through the storage room, and down the stairs. Flames spurted from the wheel and the man-beast’s hair caught fire, spreading quickly across his body. He bolted out the back doorway and launched himself over the railing.
“We gotta go,” Gunny told the group. Doctor Carroll’s suit protected her, but everyone else could feel their lungs beginning to burn from the acrid smoke. “Bring him.”
Josh held a hand across his ribs as he grabbed Jed and dragged him into a passageway leading forward. Jed was bleeding heavily from a short sword wound. Josh didn’t remember how Gunny had used his toe to flip the blade upward where Josh caught it and swung in a single movement.
Diego saw the credits on the table and scooped them up before following Gunny, Josh, and Jed into the corridor. Lucas helped Buck and the robot waited until the last human was through before he could roll into the doorway, blocking the heat and smoke with his body.
They continued ahead until they could taste the harbor air blowing in through the broken windows of the bridge. Gunny pulled out his suture kit and turned to Josh. The Ranger waved him off.
“Keep Jed alive. We need to know what he knows,” Josh said.
“You gotta be kidding me. He isn’t going to tell us anything.” Gunny took a step to the side, kneeled, and pulled the clothing away from Jed’s wound. “And for the record, your charisma and loquaciousness are gifts to behold.”
“I’d give you the finger if it didn’t hurt to raise my arm.”
“Now that’s communication that I can understand. What you did in there? Genius or madness, because it was beyond my understanding.”
“Well, we have Jed. Next stop on curing the Traditionalist plague is the Crak man himself,” Joshua claimed proudly.
“Where’s Squatch?”
“Last I saw he was still chasing people.
Though, I’m pretty sure he was on fire.”
“It looks like he threw himself into the pool. Even on fire, he had his wits about himself. We’ll meet back up with him soon.”
“What about you, scumbag?” Gunny asked Jed, as he drifted in and out of consciousness. The sergeant got to work sewing up the sword cut that trailed from his arm across his abdomen. “I think I’m going to kluge this together using three stitches.
“I can do it in two,” Josh said.
Lucas had the medic sutured, but Buck wouldn’t rest. People needed his help and he hadn’t felt as if he’d contributed. He nursed his own wound as he crawled to Josh.
“Let me look at that.” He studied the wound before using a small amount of his water to clean it out. “Big scar or little scar?”
“Is that a serious question?” Josh squinted at him.
“Okay, tight stitches but it’ll take longer.” He put salve on the wound and got to work.
“Lucas, Diego, robot, come with me.” Gunny opened the door to the captain’s cabin. There was a hole in the wall where a porthole used to be. The room was soaked and trashed because of being exposed to the weather. It’s one-time luxury lost to the Alaskan weather.
They moved forward to the bridge where they found it as Diego had described.
“It looks different upside down,” Diego stated, leaning sideways to turn his head to reenact his former perspective.
“A whole lot of nothing and a broken prisoner.”
“There’s a bunch of dead Traditionalists in the casino. Don’t we get bonus points for that?” Lucas asked.
“I think so,” Gunny agreed.
“I expect most of them weren’t Traditionalists,” Andy added.
“They were armed and in the home of Crak’s number two,” Lucas argued.
“So were we.” The robot’s facial expressions never changed, but his tone adjusted depending on what he was trying to convey. He came across as sincere.
“We were there for a reason.” Lucas was holding his ground.
“Which could have been as innocuous as trying to earn a few extra credits to buy his family something nice.”
“That’s a stupid way to do it,” Gunny replied.
Cruiseliner Hades 7: A Lost 77 Worlds Tale Page 3
