by C A Ardron
‘Well, it wasn't me.’
‘Why, Wolf,’ Dingo said, his voice getting that impish note again, ‘if I didn't know better, I'd say it sounded like you didn't want to talk about this.’
‘Why would I want to talk about Twidworth's bus stops?’
‘Wasn't there some sort of protest?’
Wolf sighed again, Dingo was determined to talk about this. ‘Yes. Let's get this out of the way, shall we? Yes, there was a protest about pollution levels. Yes, it was organised by the Darphon, one of our fellow Orders of Light, and yes, the Predgarians had to come break up the rioting.’
Dingo laughed uproariously.
‘You'd do better to be thinking about where we're going. The Red Jackal should not be taken lightly.’
Wolf was quite taken aback when Dingo's laughter instantly cut off.
‘Yeah, I know.’ He finished mapping the co-ordinates and without pause flicked a large switch.
Wolf felt a strange sensation and, just for a moment saw Central Sector flood with white light. He blinked in dead silence for a mere second, a second that was heart-wrenching. Then they were looking down on Twidworth Square.
Wolf sighed in great relief. He wouldn't deny their usefulness, but these teleportation devices seemed unnatural to him. He took the radio from his belt, intending to make contact with his captain.
‘Last time I saw Red Jackal was seven years ago.’
Wolf paused, the seriousness in Dingo's voice was odd. The man was naturally light-hearted and fun-loving. ‘What happened?’
‘What do you think happened? He kicked my ass.’
‘Yes, I've heard that happens a lot.’
Dingo's head swung towards him, his helmeted features looking straight at him.
‘I meant that I've heard Jackal's hard to beat,’ Wolf added hurriedly, realising he might have just offended his friend. ‘I wasn't implying you get beat up a lot.’
‘Huh-uh. Just make the call.’
Wolf pressed down on the number one on his radio. It was time to find out just what was going on in West Sector.
***
The Green Swallow watched the two Canines disappear up the corridor. Fools, both of them. Grey Wolf was naive to have thought Martial Eagle would listen to a single word he said, and Blue Dingo's every word and thought was of no consequence.
Her mouth twisted into sneer. It was disgusting, the very mention of his name in her head contaminated her.
She turned on her heel and exited through the door behind her. Not back into Martial Eagle's office but to the temple gardens. She descended the marble steps leading down into the outdoor recreation area, the suns above giving the white surfaces between the flower beds a blinding glow. She glanced at the fragrant flowers at eye level, the creeping vines held up on wooden frames against the high, stone walls. Her mouth once more twisted with distaste as she clutched her medallion, deactivating it. Her armour disintegrated along with her wings, leaving her wearing her smart, grey trousers and white blouse. She took a simple, black hair band from her pocket and tied her straight, brown hair, pulling it tight.
All the while her eyes were darting around the garden. She seemed to be completely alone. Not requiring her medallion for the task, she performed a simple aura sweep with her mind, reaching out for any nearby presence. Martial Eagle was still in his office, and the others she could feel were even further away.
Satisfied there were no eavesdroppers, she took a small slim-line radio from her pocket. A completely different design from the standard issue Predgarian communications device. She preferred this one, the more compact design looked neater and was much more convenient to carry.
Swallow pressed down on the number six, the latest number to be added to the radio's stored list, before lifting it to her face. ‘This is Swallow.’
‘Go ahead,’ came the youthful reply of a male voice.
‘Grey Wolf and Blue Dingo are headed to West Sector with a fully charged hopper. Kill them.’
CHAPTER TEN
Karen took one last look out her window before turning her full attention to Jay. She'd found an old, black, waterproof anorak for him to wear. She remembered she'd acquired it in Predas. The industrial town was quite near the eastern coast and suffered from more than a little rain.
The coat would not hide him from the Sarpiens, but should at least keep him warm while they were out.
Karen glanced at her watch, it had just gone half eight in the morning. She pulled at the wrist of her left glove as she thought. Now was as good a time as any to be heading out. There was no optimum time to avoid the Sarpiens, she knew that. All she could do was leave and hope for the best. She took a deep breath. She still had that awful feeling in her stomach, almost positive something was going to go horribly wrong. From experience, when the feeling came upon her this strongly, she listened to it.
Still, they couldn't stay where they were. If they did, Jackal would find them. She smiled in as friendly a manner as she could at Jay. The expression did not come naturally to her face. She kept her thoughts to herself, hidden behind calm eyes. She would do her very best to keep him alive. Hopefully her best was good enough.
‘Are we leaving now?’ Jay looked up at her, his face nervous.
Karen nodded. ‘Yes, there's no reason to wait.’
Her head turned sharply at the buzzing of the intercom by the front door. For a second or two, Karen stared at it, a dread filling her. She walked towards it at a measured pace, rolling her shoulders discreetly. She pressed the button beneath the speaker. ‘Yeah?’ she didn't bother to put any friendliness in her voice, half-expecting Jackal's irritating drawl to answer.
‘Miss Fireirro?’
Karen relaxed, recognising the voice. It was Mrs Alterton from the ground floor.
‘Hello,’ she replied, trying to hide her relief. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I just wanted to tell you in case you didn't know. There's been a man looking for you.’
Even though she'd been expecting it, she couldn't stop her shoulders tensing up. ‘A man?’
‘Yes, he was very strange. Like one of those bad boys the kids are all talking about these days. Dangerous, he looked, with vivid, dyed red hair.’
‘No!’ Jay exclaimed. ‘He's here!’
‘Thank you for the warning,’ Karen kept her voice smooth and unconcerned. She switched off the com and turned to the panicky teenager. ‘Stay calm.’
‘But he's here! He'll kill us!’
She grabbed his shoulders, meeting his gaze. ‘No one's dying today.’ She made her voice as strong as she could. Today was going to be hard enough without a distraught kid at her side. ‘We have to stay calm and think rationally. Jackal has always been at his best amidst chaos and panic.’
Jay nodded and to his credit, managed to control his terror. ‘So what do we do?’
‘There's a second staircase that's used as a fire exit. If we go down that way we can head out back. Jackal may not be sure of where we are yet.’
Gathering her courage, Karen opened her front door and led the way into the corridor. The building's main stairwell stood right in front of her. When Jay had joined her she closed the door and locked it. As she put the door key in her jeans’ pocket, she wondered if she'd get the chance to come back to this place.
Anything could happen now. By the end of the day, she could be in a Sarpien dungeon, or dead, or outside Steiron and running for her life...again.
Karen gestured for Jay to follow her up the corridor and through a heavy, white-painted door. Together, they entered into yet another corridor but Karen did not hesitate now. She navigated the building, knowing exactly where she was going.
It was not even a matter of minutes before she arrived at the metal door. She glanced back at Jay looking around nervously. She gestured with her head for him to go in front. Unless Jackal knew for certain that they were in the building, chances were any attack would come from behind.
She descended the plain, stone steps righ
t behind Jay, being careful of the off-white plaster which now looked old and broken in places.
They were about halfway down the square stairwell when there came the grating of the metal door above.
Jay looked behind him, and Karen met his gaze. In those eyes were the exact same fear she was feeling. They both knew who it was.
‘Run,’ she whispered. For his sake she tried to stay strong, but she could hear the fear creeping into her voice. ‘Don't stop for anything.’
Jay nodded and crashed down the stairs even as they heard the heavy footsteps.
Karen didn't wait, following Jay down the stairwell immediately. She slowed as she reached the small, flat square of floor before the steps started downwards again. She began to turn the corner but forced herself to an abrupt stop as there was a grunt above her.
She backed away, trying to be mindful of the steps leading upwards directly behind her as the Red Jackal launched himself over the side of the railing and landed, far too close for comfort. She bared her teeth, he was between her and the exit.
Karen met his green eyes for a second and flinched as he instantly went for an Alpha Punch. She swerved quickly, bringing up her left arm to help block the attack. She attempted to get around him and flee, but Jackal caught her arm, pulling her towards him.
Karen's anger rose and she struck him in the stomach with a quick Cat-Claw. Jackal smiled and returned the kindness with a punch of his own.
She gasped as the heavy Canine-class move struck her in the stomach. She fell away from him, tumbling over the edge of the next flight of stairs and down the eight or so steps. Her back and head slammed into the rough wall, and she lost her footing. She collapsed in a heap on the floor, only one more flight of stairs down was the door which led out of the building. It kept banging against its frame in the wind, not quite closed after Jay had disappeared through it.
Karen shook her head, trying to dispel her sudden dizziness. Her stomach was in pain, her old scar throbbing. Her legs and arms ached, and the lack of sleep had crept up on her. She was struggling to move, her head crying out for her to stop.
She gasped as Jackal placed a couple of fingers under her chin and lifted her head, forcing her to look at him. He had descended the steps and was now knelt in front of her.
Karen struggled to rise but Jackal grabbed her wrists, forcing her arms up and against the wall on either side of her. She tried to control her breathing, not wanting him to see how scared she was. She glared at him hatefully.
Jackal smiled again, not a single ounce of animosity on his face. He slid his hand from Karen's right wrist and down her arm until he reached the obvious bloody patch on her denim jacket and then clenched his grip.
She grunted, refusing to cry out. She could feel the cut starting to leak again. She breathed through gritted teeth and fought to dislodge his grip.
‘Give it up, Karen,’ Jackal's smile was indulgent as he relished his victory. ‘You don't have your medallion anymore. There's nothing you can do to stop me.’
Karen's glare had turned cold, she wasn't done yet. Tilting her head forwards, she masked any trace of fear showing on her face – she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She forced a smirk to her face, making herself look confident. Jackal's fierce eyes were mere inches from her own now. ‘I've been practising.’
Karen concentrated as hard as she could, ignoring her aching muscles and bloody arm. An icy blue aura appeared around her hands and wrists. Jackal swore, surprised as the misty ice bit into his hands, starting to chill and freeze them.
Her arms now free, she punched him in the face and then kicked him in the stomach as he lurched backwards. She scrambled to her feet and ran for the door, rushing through it and out into the morning sunlight.
She wasn't sure how much time she had bought with that stunt. As she looked around for Jay, she suddenly felt as if she hadn't slept in days. Using the Power without a medallion was extremely hard, impossible for most people.
She spotted the boy by a large, rectangular bin and jogged to him.
‘Are you okay? I thought Jackal must've caught you.’
‘Not in a million years,’ Karen forced confidence into her voice, though she didn't feel it. She had to stay strong, for Jay and herself. ‘Come on, we have to put in some distance.’
Jay nodded and followed her. She pressed one hand against her midriff briefly, hoping no damage had been done. It was never Jackal's intent to kill her, but he didn't know about her old wound. Over the last three years, she'd tried her hardest to keep that information from him. He would exploit such a weakness if he knew it was there.
As Karen led the way out the small parking area behind the flat complex, she broke into a run, intent on the bus stop nearby. She glanced quickly at Jay, ensuring he stayed with her. Karen knew she was drawing attention to them but had no choice with Jackal so close behind.
She glanced at her reddened jacket sleeve as she raised her arm to attract the attention of a bus driver. He was starting to pull the long vehicle out of the nearby stop. He halted and allowed the two to board.
‘Where's this bus going?’ Jay puffed as they sat near the middle of the seating area.
Karen scanned the area for Jackal, but couldn't see him. ‘I don't particularly care, as long as it's away from here.’
***
Jackal grinned down at his burnt hand, now throbbing from the intense cold of Karen's ice ability. He got to his feet, looking at the still swinging fire exit door.
‘Ice without a medallion,’ he murmured. ‘Who knew you had one last card to play?’
He flexed his hand, trying to dispel the pain. He would let her run for now, she'd earned it. She couldn't escape him anyway, she was away from her hiding place and in broad daylight. He'd give her an hour or so before he collected her and Jay. He allowed himself a hard smile. Lord Trine would be very happy with his gift.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Karen studied the scenery as it went by. The bus had a lumbering pace much faster than they could walk, but not fast enough for her liking. The area was mostly housing. She considered getting off at the next stop but decided against it. The estates might be maze-like, but Jackal would find them easily if he activated his medallion.
She also considered changing her plans completely. Jay had no connections here in Steiron apart from his uncle – he would have said so by now if he had. She could leave Steiron and take him with her. He'll slow you down, that voice in her head told her.
She grimaced. The Thirshakalt Plains directly outside the city were no place for a child, even if they were wanted by the Sarpiens.
Karen glanced at the teenager. He was chewing his lip nervously, watching the houses zoom by. No, she had to drop off Jay first. Her way of living was far too dangerous for him, and his naivety and lack of skill in combat would get them both killed.
The houses started to thin as they entered the outskirts of West Sector's town centre. Karen stood in the moving vehicle, making her way to the doors. Jay followed, uttering a startled sound. Karen waited for him on the pavement and the bus drove away.
‘Wouldn't it be better to go to the bus station?’ Jay asked as Karen began to walk off.
He sounded breathless to her, She reminded herself that not everyone were trained warriors. She'd better slow down a bit. ‘No. They'll be Sarpiens there.’
‘How do you know that?’
Karen stopped as they reached a main road, thinking about what route to take. ‘Jackal wouldn't have been far behind us, he'll know we got on the bus. He may have alerted the other Sarpiens by now. If he has, they'll most likely be looking for us at the station and along the bus route.’
Karen held in a sigh when she realised her words had brought Jay's terrified expression back.
‘So what do we do?’
Karen flashed him a grin, trying to make him feel better. ‘Get off the bus route, of course. We'll head into town slowly. I want a good look around before I walk into anything. Jackal will probably assume
my plan is to get to the station and take the Out bus.’
‘The Out bus?’ Jay asked, astonished. ‘To Havelo, you mean?’
Karen shrugged. ‘Or the Thirshakalt Plains.’
Jay swallowed. ‘I've heard it's dangerous out there, full of...things.’
Karen smiled. He didn't know anything really. Yes, there were many dangerous creatures to be found on the moors, but an entire different culture too. He didn't seem to realise that a lot of the produce to be found in Steiron came direct from the Thirshakalt nomads.
Karen crossed the road, seeing a gap in the traffic. Jay followed quickly. She eyed the first store she came to, selling fruit and vegetables out front. She reached into one of the back pockets of her jeans, pulling out a single silver piece. She picked two apples from the nearest crate and tossed the coin to the vendor.
The large, apron-clad man, his wispy hair trying to disguise his oncoming baldness, bowed to her as she walked past.
Jay frowned. ‘One silver piece for two apples? He would've accepted five coppers, you know. That's the normal price for apples.’
Karen rolled her eyes at his disgruntled tone. The boy obviously knew nothing of trade. She handed him one of the reddish-green fruits. Well, while he was stuck with her, he might as well learn something.
‘Shopkeepers remember the ones that are generous with their money,’ she bit into her apple hungrily. ‘Next time I go there, he'll make small talk with me, offer me something at a discount. That's him telling me he has acknowledged my generosity. The third time, I will overpay on something again, proving it wasn't a one-time gesture. The fourth visit I get something of interest for free.’
Karen noticed his open astonishment and held back the smile wanting to form on her lips. She'd noticed last night that he embarrassed easily.
‘Are you serious?’ he asked, mouth full of apple.
Karen nodded. ‘Of course,’ she took another chunk out of her own fruit. ‘The fifth time, I will pay the correct price, and he will offer to set me up on his list.’
