Cultwick: The Wretched Dead

by J. Stone

  “After the settlement, Mr. Graham came to us asking for his money, but we had nothing to offer him yet. He agreed to give us more time, but later, when we still couldn’t pay, a group of masked men came to our home in the middle of the night and burned down our barn. They said if we didn’t pay back Mr. Graham they’d be back to torch the house.

  “A couple weeks passed, and they did come back, but Felix and I thought we could handle it. We were wrong. Felix was sent to Mr. Graham’s mine to pay off our debt.” Her eyes drifted to her husband’s and then they both looked down at the ground. “And they sent me to his brothel.”

  “The Angel Ranch?” Vincent asked, a rage boiling inside him. “They put you to work in that place?”

  Cassie nodded and Felix stopped his pacing for a moment, staring a hole in the ground. Vincent could not imagine this sweet girl he had known growing up working in a place like that. He didn’t realize at first, but he had tightly clenched his fist, and a warm dribble of blood poured out from where his fingernails had pierced the skin.

  “Eventually, Felix escaped the mine,” she continued. “He came to the ranch and rescued me.”

  “I heard he killed someone,” Vincent said.

  “One of the bastards that was keeping her there,” Felix explained. “Deserved what he got.”

  “Too bad you didn’t kill ‘em all,” Vincent replied. He stood from the bed, wiping his bloody palm on his pants, and saying, “Where are my things?”

  “Why?” Cassie asked. “What do you intend to do?”

  “What I always did,” he explained. “Keep you safe. Like I promised, when we were kids. Where are they?”

  Cassie nodded to Felix, and reluctantly, he went into the next room, returning with Vincent’s belt - the gun included. He handed the items to Vincent, who strapped them around his waist.

  “You have a gun?” he asked Felix.

  “Used to, but they took it after they came for us,” he replied.

  “I’ll let you borrow my rifle,” Vincent said.

  “Eh, I’ve never been much of a shot, anyway,” he explained. I’m much better with this thing.” He raised the mechanical hand and clenched its metal fingers shut.

  “I’ll take it,” Cassie said.

  “Follow me,” he instructed.

  Vincent led Felix and Cassie out to where Polly still waited, and he retrieved the rifle he kept stowed in the saddle and handed it to Cassie. “You remember how to use it?” he asked.

  She spun out the revolving chamber of the rifle, checking to see if it was loaded and then nudged it back into place. Lifting the weapon, she lined up her sights along the barrel and pulled the trigger sinking the bullet into the side of one of the hugely overgrown plants and splattering bean guts.

  “I think I can handle it,” she said.

  “I see that,” Vincent replied. “Okay. You two need to come with me into town.”

  “We can’t go back there,” Felix said. “Graham has men all over the city. If anyone sees us, they’re going to take us in.”

  “I told you,” Vincent replied. “I’ll take care of it. I’ve got friends at the Arcadia. I’ll stash you there, until I clear your debt with Graham.”

  “How are you going to do that?” Cassie asked.

  “I can be persuasive,” Vincent answered. “Now come on.”

  The bounty hunter walked the couple and Polly back into town using the same route he had taken to get there. It was getting to be late midday when they arrived back in Chrome City, and the streets were quite crowded. The miners returned home, piling out of horse-drawn carts, while the lechers entered the local cathouse, and the drunks stumbled into the bars.

  “Some of these people are going to recognize us, Vincent,” Cassie explained.

  “I expect so,” he replied. “It’s fine. No one’s going to make a move with all these people around.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing,” Felix said.

  “Me too,” Vincent muttered under his breath.

  They soon arrived at the Arcadia, where Vincent hitched Polly outside, ensuring she was tied up securely. The outside of the Arcadia was painted dark blue, and the sign above the door was written in crisp, clean, white lettering. Through the swinging double doors, they could see rich, chocolate-colored wood flooring. Through frosted glass windows were several tables for gambling, a large bar area with a hefty selection of drinks, and dancing girls serving the customers.

  Vincent led them inside and into a back room, where a couple of the Chromework Confederates were seated at a circular, wooden table and discussing plans. Hanging from the walls were various rebel propaganda posters and maps of Cultwick and many of the western frontier cities. On the table were scattered papers with scribbling that was too small for him to read.

  One of the men, he knew as Everett Coleman. Everett had messy, sandy, blonde hair and a clean-shaven face. He wore a long, blue overcoat on top of a tan vest and faded denim jeans. When Vincent walked into the backroom, Everett uncomfortably shifted, attempting to conceal the pages, but relaxed when he saw it was the bounty hunter.

  “Everett,” Vincent said.

  “Vincent,” the rebel replied, standing from the table. “You know you probably shouldn’t barge in here like that. This isn’t exactly a legal operation we got going back here.”

  “I know,” he said. “That’s why I’ve come to you. These two,” he began, pointing at Felix and Cassie. “They need a safe place to hide out for a few days. Think you can manage that?”

  “What did they do?” Everett asked.

  “Seems they didn’t want to be slaves,” Vincent replied.

  “Well, the confederacy is always willing to help those that are willing to fight for their rights,” he said. “But what do you intend to do?”

  “I need to take care of Graham,” Vincent answered, turning around and beginning to leave.

  “Wait, wait,” Everett said, rushing around between Vincent and the door. “You talking Graham as in Oscar Graham, as in Graham Mining Company, Graham?”

  “That’s the one,” Vincent replied. “Why?”

  “Well, Graham’s in our way, too,” Everett explained. “I’m sure Hirim would offer you any help in dealing with Graham if you wait for him to get back here.”

  “Hirim is coming back to Chrome City?” Vincent asked. “I thought he was spending all his time in Pendulum Falls now.”

  “In case you haven’t heard, the empire attacked Pendulum Falls in full force,” the rebel said. “But we won, and Chrome City will be next.”

  “How long ‘til he’s here?” Vincent asked.

  “Sounds like a couple days last I heard,” Everett answered.

  “Mmm,” Vincent said, mulling it over. “No. I don’t think this can wait. These two need help now, so I’m going to see Graham now and deal with this.”

  Chapter 16. Rowland and the Reformed

  The pirate captain, Felicia, sent down two of her crew to assist in repairing the Halcyon of the very damage they had caused. So far, the one known as Gabe was only willing to carry parts from one place to another muttering under his breath, while Ash was content to insult and degrade both the Halcyon and Erynn’s creations.

  “This thing even work?” she asked, staring at Tern.

  “Of course he works,” Erynn shot back.

  “Well, he sure ain’t doing much,” Ash replied derisively.

  “That’s because he’s in the middle of an upgrade,” she explained.

  “Hmph,” the pirate simply muttered.

  “If you’re not interested in helping,” Olivia began, “I think this will go faster if you just left.”

  “Well, you know, Olive,” Ash said. “Way I see it, you betrayed us. I’m not likely to turn my back on you, now am I?”

  “I didn’t betray anyone,” Olivia simply replied.

  Dropping the heavy metal door near its frame, Gabe chimed in, “She’s right. She didn’t betray us. She’s just a coward.”

  "If
you want to see it that way, fine," Olivia said.

  "So, you used to be a pirate, too?" Rowland asked.

  "A long time ago, but that's not important," Olivia answered. “What we did in the past isn’t so important as what we do now.”

  "You can tell yourself that, but I think these people you're crating around need to know who they're dealing with," Ash continued.

  "We trust Madam Nightingale," Germ said. "That's all that matters."

  "Well, rat," Ash replied. "That's just ignorance talking. She used to be the worst of us."

  "If it's going to be discussed anyway," Olivia began, "I'd rather just tell it myself."

  Ash gestured for Olivia to continue and said, "By all means, Olive."

  "I was Felicia's first mate for several years," Olivia started. "We spent much of our time plundering empire skyships."

  "But not always," Gabe added.

  Olivia continued, "Sometimes we'd attack a transport ship going to one of the outer cities. During one assault, I decided I'd had enough of that life and stole one of the ship’s emergency pods."

  "Oh, you're leaving out all the good parts," Ash said. "What about what happened in the crew quarters of the ship? Or what happened because you fled?"

  "What I did on that ship isn't relevant," she replied. "I'm not that person anymore, and I've made my penance."

  "Telling yourself that," Ash began. "Does it help you sleep at night? Or do you still see the faces of those screaming children?"

  Olivia slammed her fist against the hull of her ship, leaving a small dent and a blood smear. Her whole body noticeably shook, and she closed her eyes tightly.

  "Still a sore subject?" Ash asked with a smile.

  In an attempt to alleviate the tension, Rowland suggested, "Perhaps I should bandage that wound."

  Olivia looked down at her bloodied fist and then let out a heavy sigh. "Alright," she said.

  "My kit is in the back," Rowland said, leading the way.

  When they arrived in the passenger’s room, Rowland sat on one side of the cab and began looking through his bag for medical supplies. Olivia sat across from him and tried to control her breathing. Rowland pulled her hand in front of him, cleaned the blood from the wound, and began applying a white salve to her skin.

  "I was such a horrible person back then," Olivia said. "I wish I could go back and fix what I've done."

  "Changing the past would indeed be a neat trick," Rowland replied. "We have all done things we regret, when we become wise enough to acknowledge them. Perhaps you should focus instead on who you are now." Rowland put away the salve and began wrapping her knuckles in a bandage.

  "I've genuinely tried to change who I am," Olivia said. "Control my anger. Limit my greed. Help people in need, but those memories are always there - always waiting on me."

  "And there they will stay," Rowland replied. "You must be aware of the bad in order to focus on the good, and if I may say so, you appear to be doing quite well. I know Germ is quite taken with you."

  Olivia allowed herself an uneasy smile and said, "I suspect Germ is rather easy to please."

  "Perhaps so," Rowland agreed. "Though that does not make it any less significant."

  A few minutes passed, while Rowland finished wrapping the bandage and stowing his supplies back inside his bag. Olivia stretched her fingers out, ensuring she still had mobility and stood from her seat.

  Erynn joined them in the back room announcing, "It looks like the repairs are finished."

  "That's good to hear," Olivia replied. "I'll get them to open up the doors."

  Olivia left past Erynn, while Erynn sat, taking her place.

  "How are you doing, my dear?" Rowland asked her. "Teetering on that plank could not have done much to help your fear of heights."

  "Oh, y'know," she began, "I'll probably have nightmares for weeks. Though these days, I admit I already have plenty to dread, while I sleep."

  "Fiona?" he asked.

  "Usually," she replied.

  "Are you seeing more into her mind?" Rowland inquired.

  "She's been attacking the empire," Erynn said. "Sometimes I only see flashes, other times I see every last detail of her slaughter."

  "I do not like this," Rowland said. "You should let me look into it."

  "No, no, no," she quickly replied. "Last time you tried to help my dreams, I couldn't even sleep for a week,"

  Rowland shrugged and suggested, "They say you cannot make an omelet without breaking a few eggs."

  "My brain is not an egg, Max," she said.

  "You are no fun sometimes, my dear," he replied.

  "Mmm hmm," she groaned.

  The Halcyon abruptly lurched forward, as the engine started up. Rowland looked out the window to see Gabe, Ash, and Felicia watching them leave. The cargo hold door had been opened, and the Halcyon slowly crept out of the much larger Mad Crow. Once it drifted outside the pirate skyship, the Halcyon fell quickly, causing Erynn to groan and close her eyes.

  "Does she have to do that?" Erynn muttered.

  The skyship eventually quit its descent, stabilizing itself in the air and returning to its pace and trajectory before the pirate hijacking. Knowing that they would soon arrive in Cultwick, Rowland began to ponder how exactly they would make it into the city.

  "Has Olivia said how she intends to sneak us past the corpsmen guarding the port?" he asked.

  Erynn nodded, took a deep breath, gripped the arm rail of her chair, and replied, "Something about a security checkpoint and a cargo inspection."

  “Perhaps I should go and discuss that with her,” he suggested.

  “You do that,” Erynn said. “I’ll just sit here… try not to move… and hope to not vomit…”

  “Right,” Rowland replied. “That sounds like an excellent plan.”

  He stood from his seat and grabbed a railing to balance himself in the rocky ship, as he left the passenger room and Erynn. Along the way, he passed Tern, who was still plugged into an outlet in the skyship and being updated by the security program written by Erynn. Once he arrived at the cabin area, he found Olivia piloting and Germ assisting her in the endeavor. As there was no third chair, he stood in the doorway, balancing himself against its frame.

  “So then,” he began, “Ryn said there would be a checkpoint that we would have to pass through once we land.”

  Olivia flipped a few toggles, spun a dial, and then turned around to face Rowland. “That’s right,” she said.

  “What kind of check do they do?” he asked.

  “They’ll take a gene sample and run it through their database of offenders,” she explained.

  “Surely all three of us are going to be in there,” he replied.

  “I’d expect so, doc,” Olivia said. “Being a smuggler, though, I do have a way around it.” She leaned forward, opened a compartment in the dashboard of her console, and pulled out a small vial. “This stuff,” she said, handing it to Rowland, “will disguise your sample.”

  “Perhaps I should take a look at it,” Rowland suggested.

  “Knock yourself out,” Olivia replied. “I can’t recommend injecting yourself with it too much. I’ve heard it eventually has side effects.”

  “Yes, yes,” he said. “I know all about side effects. Desired or otherwise.”

  He left the cockpit and went back to where he had stored some of his medical supplies. Pulling out a small, glass slide and an eyedropper, Rowland took a sample of the vial, dabbed it onto the slide, and then covered it with another, sealing it between the two. He then pulled out a small scope that he had Erynn construct for him years earlier. It allowed him to quickly analyze a substance, determining its components, quality, and likely effects.

  Rowland slid the coupled slides into the side of the scope and locked it into place with a metal clip. Peering through the lens, he found that the substance contained very few components - mostly alpha scrubbers and progressive synthesized filters. It was relatively stable, had the effect of muddling a gene sample,
but its duration was unreliable. The scope suggested its effects could last for anywhere from a couple hours to a couple weeks. Two weeks of exposure would likely lead to other side effects, Rowland mused to himself.

  He began to feel the ship slowly descend and looking out the window, he discovered that they were above Cultwick. The ship fell toward a landing pad and eventually touched ground with a rocky landing. After they stopped moving, Rowland went to the back room to check on Erynn. He found her stretching and looking remarkably more comfortable to be on stable ground.

  “Hey, Max,” she said. “Figure out how we’re going to get past the checkpoint?”

  “Indeed,” he replied. “Our smuggler pilot had a serum that is capable of disguising our identities for a brief amount of time.”

  Looking sideways at him, she asked, “And you trust it’ll work?”

  “I do,” Rowland answered. “I examined its contents, and it seems fairly reliable.”

  “Okay, well, that’s fine for a gene sample test,” she began, “but what if they just look at us. We’re not exactly inconspicuous now that our faces are plastered all over on those wanted posters.”

  “Oh,” he said. “I do believe I forgot about that.”

  Erynn sighed and thought for a moment. She soon looked up at him with a smile and a devious look in her eye. “Give me your respirator and spectacles,” she said.

  “My… respirator?” he repeated.

  “Yeah,” she answered. “All those posters have pictures of you with the respirator and spectacles. I’ll wear them to disguise my face, and you’ll go without to disguise yours.”

  “I am not sure I like this plan,” he replied.

  “Just hand ‘em over, grumpy,” she said.

  Reluctantly, Rowland took off his spectacles and handed them to Erynn. She took them and placed them over her eyes, while he removed his respirator as well.

  “How do you see through these things, Max?” she asked

  With a squint, he asked, “How do you see without them?”

  He then handed her the respirator as well, and she strapped it around the bottom of her face, covering her mouth and nose. Rowland fidgeted and rubbed at his face and eyes uncomfortably.