by Sam Hval
“Nice work young lady,” he said.
“Thanks…” she said as she straightened her back and patted down the wrinkles in her work clothes. Her heavy breathing slowed down as she realized she was safe.
“You got a name, kid?” William asked.
She looked up from the man on the ground to the strong, bearded man standing in front of her with his hand extended.
She shook his hand and said, “Angel.”
Chapter 3
Angel was surprised by the sudden change of attitude. One minute, William seemed like a pretty nice guy. The next, he was forcing her around and tying up her wrists.
"Get off of me!" she yelled.
"I'm afraid I can't do that kid," William replied as he practically dragged her out of the house.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To the mayor. I figure you might have some important information about the man that tried to kill you," He pointed to the other person he was dragging. "Heck, this could've been staged to try and kill me for all I know." Angel didn't take that suggestion too lightly.
"What?! Listen, I have no idea who he is. I promise," she turned her head and eyed the man. "Right, crazy guy?I don’t know you!"
The man gave a soft grunt.
"See?!"
"It ain't enough. Save the accusing for the mayor."
William pulled the two suspects into the Town Hall. Entering this building wasn't nearly refreshing as entering the commons. It almost felt even muggier in the Town Hall than outside. The hallway that led to the mayor's office was disorienting. The walls were tiled a strange black and white pattern. It seemed like hours of walking until he finally made it to the wide, presidential-like office.
The desk was covered with ornaments. Trophies, organizers, and shelving of all kinds were scattered across the wide desk. Papers cluttered the tops and stacks of files were left piled in open drawers behind it.
Timothy, the mayor, lay back in his shiny leather chair with his feet up on the edge of the brown, wooden mess of a desk. Even though he couldn't see them behind the totally black lenses of the strange goggles he sported, William knew his eyes were most definitely closed. The loud snoring occurred in rhythm with his large belly, as it expanded and contracted.
"Seems like everybody I know in this town is sleeping half the time." William mumbled to himself. "Hey Tim!"
Timothy nearly fell out of his chair. He pulled his goggles off his head and rubbed his eyes.
"That you Will?" he asked, still half asleep.
"Yeah, I got that Oldie you set a bounty on. I caught em up at the old farm trying to rough up this here young lady."
The mayor eyed the girl up and down. He got up from his chair and slowly stepped over to her.
"Looks like you've got yourself a little angel, huh Will?" he laughed.
"Her name happens to be just that," William answered.
Timothy raised an eyebrow and leaned into Angel. He glared straight into her blue eyes. She tried her best to keep her face straight and neutral.
He grinned and whispered,"Angel."
He stepped back a little, stretched out, and began to sit back down in his chair.
"Please, have a seat my friends," he said.
William, the intruder, and Angel sat down in the three chairs lined up in front of the desk. The mayor's desk was piled with so many papers, they could hardly see his face. He simply just shoved the stacks straight to the floor.
"Those papers seemed pretty important Tim," William said with a look of worry.
"Ah, don't worry about it. Those were all last week," Timothy leaned back a little in his chair. "Now let's talk about that bounty. I put my money on three men and one woman who strolled up into town the other day. They was picking people off the street and trying to convert em to Oldie ways,” He looked down at the files in front of him. Each file contained a picture of the Oldies. He looked back up and stared at the man, hoping he would match one of the pictures.
"He hasn't spoken at all since we met him," William pointed out.
"Well, judging by my files it appears you caught yourself the wrong man. Let him go."
"What?" Angel yelled. "He just tried to kill me and you're gonna let him go?"
Even William took issue with the command. The mayor never gave orders as ridiculous as this. William didn't know if would help, but he figured he would try and talk him out of it.
"Tim, you do realize he just attempted to murder an innocent young girl? Last time I checked that was a crime. There ain't any way I'm letting him free to run off and pick another helpless girl to kill," William realized he was sounding softer than he usually did. He straightened up a bit.
"Well, I’m feelin’a little nice today.I’ve got enough to worry about, and you seemed like you handled it pretty well. Do whatever you want with him."
William looked over at the man. His face was covered in dirt and he had a scar that ran down his left eye. His skin was darkened by the heat and his mood wasn't pleasant.
"What's your name son?" Timothy asked.
"Red," he answered, with a low grumble.
"Now what do you got against this here young lady.?"
"Nothin'."
"Why did you try and kill her?"
"She was pretty."
"Hold on here, you tried to murder her, because she was... pretty?" William asked, confused.
"Uh huh."
"I don't know Tim this guy scares the hell out of me."
The mayor contemplated his decision.
"Untie him."
William glared at the mayor, then back at Red.
"No."
"Will, if you don't untie him I'll lock you up instead. Untie him now!" Timothy commanded, as he slammed he fist down on the desk.
William had no choice. He walked over to the man and pulled the knot out of the rope tied around his wrists. Red slowly got up and stumbled out of the room. William turned around and stared directly into the mayor's eyes. He raised his fist and pointed his finger straight at him. With his anger built, he unloaded.
"You listen to me, if that man hurts anyone in this town, I'll be the first to find out about it. I'll storm in here, grab your head, and pull it right off. I'm not afraid to do that. You know I can't stand watching criminals stroll around like they haven’t done anything wrong!" He untied Angel's wrists and grabbed her by the arm.
"Come with me, I'm taking you back home."
He stormed off with Angel and left the room in silence. Timothy leaned back and put his feet up on the edge of the desk again. He slid the goggles back over his eyes and said to himself, "I can't wait to see him try."
Chapter 4
"I can't believe you just let him go like that," Angel complained.
"I had no choice," William replied.
"What do you mean you had no choice? You have that blaster. Coulda pulled it out last minute and shot him up."
"That wouldn't have been smart."
"I would've done it if I wasn't tied up at the time."
"I don't wanna argue right now. I have to get you back home."
As soon as William had finished the sentence, he stopped dead in his tracks. Angel was startled and stopped with him. He turned his head slightly. Through the noise of the crowds in the marketplace, he heard faint gunshots. Listening was a skill he had acquired over 20 years of exploring all sectors. Simply listening could do wonders for the human ear.
"What is it?" Angel asked.
"I heard gunshots. Coming from..." He paused to track the source of the sound. Blood rushed down his body. His eyes widened.
He started to make a run for it. Dodging and pushing his way through the crowds, he headed towards the commons. Angel had no idea where he was headed, but she followed anyway.
***
William shoved through the crowd of lawmen blocking the door to the bar. His heart pounding, he stormed into the room. His eyes darted around looking for Paul. He didn't see Paul, but he saw two dead men lying on the ground with a pool of blood
forming under them.
Behind the counter laid another body with long lacerations across its chest.
"Hey imbecile! Citizens aren't allowed access to the scene of the crime," one of the lawmen at the scene shouted.
William turned his head and looked at the man. His eyes filled with rage.
"Where's Paulie?" William demanded.
"Hey, what did I tell you?"
William stormed up in his face. He grabbed him by his shirt and glared.
"I ain't no ordinary citizen. Tell me where he is!"
"Geez, you need to relax fella. Go see for yourself."
William let go of the man and looked down in confusion, his train of thought chugging rapidly along. He looked at the two bodies he had seen when he came in. Then, back at the body behind he counter leaned against the wall. It had taken him only a few seconds to decipher what the lawman meant.
***
Corridan stood straight in his red, orange, and blue patterned outfit, and looked out the tall, clear glass windows that lined his throne room's walls. The cityscape outside was more exciting to watch, than the boring custom artwork that filled the ceiling. The throne was getting to uncomfortable to relax in. He preferred to stand.
He watched as dozens of ships flew by overhead, with the soft red glow of the planet core shining on the horizon, its bright light peeking through the spaces between the towering skyscrapers. He looked down and watched the people of Morridia go about their daily lives. The streets were just as busy and bustling with people as always. More and more citizens of Ullicar were moving to Corridia. So now instead of a line of just hover vehicles floating through the streets, there was the added mix of horses, carriages, and regular people walking through.
Ullicar, which was on the outskirts of the Morridia province on Sector 5, had been primarily a Pre-Breakout community. That was until bands of the nicknamed "Oldies" came in and began to murder anyone who didn't follow the old ways.
Oldies were dedicated to their cause. Recruitment increased, and soon after, Ullicar was under control of the Oldies.
King Corridan didn't like the disturbance in peace. Morridia was always the hotspot of not only Sector 5, but of the entire system. It was the place of origin for Corrilide after all. If the people of the province knew of the rising force, they would turn to Corridan for support. He was busy enough already.
Corridan had already had all potentially harmful creatures in the province hunted to extinction, in order to preserve the peace. He had even had most Dragons hunted down, even if it did cost more men than he had hoped. Dragons were not mythical or legendary. They were actually common. He had remembered squaring off against one.
It was quite large, bigger than most stone houses. Its scales rippled as its snout exhaled. As terrifying as Dragons are, they lack the skills and tactics of a group of humans. Hunting squads in Corridia were the most skilled in Sector 5. Even if you paired them against the most skillful of creatures, they could outmatch and outwit them within seconds.
The sound of footsteps interrupted his thought. He turned to see his personal courier greeting him. His brightly colored garments were fully noticeable.
"Your highness, I bring word of the Oldies that traveled to Sector 3."
"I thought we had sent Red to go get rid of them," Corridam replied.
"We have not heard word from him since he left."
"I'm not suprised. He is usually the quiet one. What word do you bring of them?"
"They have murdered another offsector civilian. The two men were killed by enforcers afterwards. Reports say it occured in Parker."
"We must have the other man and the woman eradicated. If Sector 3 finds out that the Oldies have been coming from Ullicar, it would bring quite a foul reputation for Morridia. Find out where Red is. Now."
"Yes, your highness. As you wish."
***
Red kept his abnormally large head lowered as he walked to the shipyard. He watched as lawmen hover vehicles sped by. Loud sirens interrupted the sound of the ships in the sky. He knew where they going, and most importantly why they were going there.
He knew that he had failed to carry out the demands of his master, the king. He was ashamed of himself. A single tear dripped down his cheek as he walked faster to the shipyard. The whines of ships passing overhead were soothing to his bulky ears.
He wanted to run away. He wanted to take his ship and fly away where one could find him. But he knew that Corridan would find him, and kill him.
Despite appearing wholly pleasant and polite at first glance, Corridan could not stand disobedience. Red knew from experience. This wasn't the first time he had failed to meet Corridan's expectations. However, failing a mission completely was not something he had done before.
He was just about to reach his ship when a shadowy figure grabbed his arm. The sudden occurrence startled him. Red was pulled behind one of the large transport vessels parked nearby. He heard a soft whisper.
"I know who you work for."
Red recognized the voice.
Chapter 5
For the first time in William's life he experienced the feeling of loss. The sense of sorrow and sadness drifted through the musty air. The stench of rusted metal flooded from the blood on Paul's body to William's nose. William was a strong, able man, but losing Paul was like losing a father. He broke down in rage-filled tears. He knelt down beside his body. He clenched on to the black shirt that was now covered with blood. It poured into the spill of wine on his chest that William had splashed on him. The colors blended almost seamlessly.
While he grieved the loss of Paul, a soft, yet disheartening, whimper came behind him. He turned his head around to see Angel kneeling down beside one of the bodies of the attackers. He saw tears streaming slowly down her cheeks. He didn't sense any sadness from her, it was more like anger.
She grabbed the coat the body was wearing and ripped off the badge that was sewn on to it. She glared at it for an extensive amount of time. William took a good look at the man. He was old, with dark gray hair and a working man's tan.
William wiped of his face with his forearm and said, "You know him?"
"Yep, he was my Grandfather," Angel replied.
"What's on the badge?"
"An... A... An Oldie insignia... from Ullicar." she stuttered.
"Oh, I...I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I just don't know what to do now."
"Do you know where your grandmother is?" William asked.
"No, they both told me they were going shopping at the markets today. I guess they lied, huh?"
William wondered how a seemingly ordinary farmer managed to hide his true identity. An Oldie, and even more confusing, he was from Ullicar. How?
As William was thinking, it occurred to him where and who the grandmother was. Timothy had told them there was two men, and one woman. That woman must be her grandmother.
"Yeah I guess so. I don't think your grandpa could hide his identity from your grandma for too long. Maybe she's the woman we're lookin' for?" William suggested, hoping Angel wouldn't be offended by it.
"I wouldn't be surprised," Angel said, to William's relief.
"Well, that means she's still on the run. We'll have to save the grieving for later. The lawmen will take care of the bodies and we'll say our proper goodbyes after we find out where your grandma is. We also need to get that file the mayor had of her."
"I guess we should head there first then," Angel said.
***
The lights within the concrete room blasted on. It blinded Red's eyes. He blinked ferociously, trying to rid the pain from his eyes. He couldn't use his hands. They were tied up. He couldn't open his mouth. It was taped shut.
The room frightened him. There was a secretive sense to everything. Almost like he not only shouldn't be there, but shouldn't know about it either. It was most likely underground. Rooms made with concrete walls, floors, and ceilings were always built underground. Red didn't remember there being any undergroun
ds in not only Parker, but in Sector 3 at all.
"Corridan won't be happy," The raspy female voice said from behind him.
Red didn't say anything. He just sat calmly hoping it wasn't who he thought it was. Pain struck his face, as the woman ripped off the tape from his mouth.
"Ugh, you really need to shave," The voice said as she dangled the hair covered tape in front of his face. She laughed, then kicked the leg of the chair he was strapped to around, to face her.
She was short, old, and smug. Red knew who it was. It was none other than Devil, one of the top leaders of the Oldie base on Ullicar. She rarely ever was actually on base in Ullicar. Red never knew why, but judging by the fact that she was on Parker when she found him, that must of been where she was all this time.
Red also noticed that she was in uniform. A brown cape with a straight collar was draped around her shoulders. There was the classic Oldie insignia, an ingot of Corrilide with an X through it, sewn on to her black shirt. But this badge was colored blue, to signify her top ranking position.
Considering that she was in uniform, but she was not on Parker, Red figured he was locked away somewhere in the Morridia undergrounds that were under Ullicar.
"I have you here for a reason, you know," She smiled. "So don't think you can get away without saying anything."
Red nodded.
"I want you to give a message to your ruler. You will tell him that the Oldies are coming. That is all. I want him to be afraid of our presence. We are striking soon, so you will act scared. Do you understand?"
Red didn't reply.
"I said, do you understand?! Are you deaf? I am pretty sure the King's top agent wouldn't be deaf!" She raised her hand and slapped it across Red's face.
"I will not," Red finally said with that distinctive low grumble of his.
"If you don't, I will have you killed. Every limb of yours will be ripped piece by piece. My men are ruthless, brutal, and fearless. You will do this, or you die! You will do it because you have no choice! You are all going to die anyway!"
