Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 52

It's almost dark when we finish making the beach somewhat presentable. The tracks are still visible despite my efforts at filling them in, but without any debris, time will erode away the rest. The only sign of Ray is the furniture coming out of a nearby workshop. Micheal walks over with a choice selection of food from the inn. I figure I should thank you ladies for helping me with this predicament. Here, this is courtesy of the inn.

I put down my shovel and wipe my brow. Why don't you help carry that to our camp?

Intrigued, Micheal follows us into the camp which Jeetoh had thankfully set up in advance. A rope was strung between two trees, with a large cloth draped over it and staked in place to serve as a tent. The fire Jeetoh lit was already beginning to burn down a little.

You ladies look like you've been working pretty hard today. I guess I missed the chase.

I'm starting to grow used to the esper's psychic abilities, and instead help myself to the vittles Micheal so thankfully provided, and the others follow suit. Once my appetite had been satisfied, I sat back on an ancient wooden bench, gently testing its strength before I trust it to hold my full weight.

Dora starts packing up the dirty dishes. I gotta ask, how did a lake form this far inland? I'm certain it wasn't always here.

Micheal leans up against an old marble archway. “My grandfather used to be friends with the principal of Motavia University. Combining his substantial finances with the principal's large scientific resources, they engineered a method to transport large quantities of water without using machines. With some students in need of a summer job, they prepared miles of ceramic piping from the nearest coast all the way to a valley just outside Termi.

“To stop the water from disappearing beneath the sands, they imported large amounts of clay from all over the world to make a watertight seal. They even hired students who needed extra money to fill bags of coastal sand and carry them to create the lakefront, since desert sand isn't very sticky when wet. People love making sand castles.”

I look over. If your grandfather and the principal were so close, why isn't there a radio in this town? There's at least one in almost every other town this side of the sun.

After the lake was completed, there was a huge argument over whether the proceeds should cover maintenance of the Alis statue here. It had been neglected since about twenty years before the lake, when the souvenir shop here closed over some kid getting stabbed by one of their cheap toys.

Who's Alis?

Don't know the name? Can't say I blame you. He points at the vine-covered statue nearby. I can't make out the details between the darkness and the vines, but it appears to be that of a young woman and a small animal. That's Alis Landale, rumored to be a woman of unmatched beauty and swordsmanship who saved Algo from an evil tyrant. The details have long withered from time, but supposedly she liked this town. The statue was made a year after her death.

Why was the statue abandoned?

The town was struggling just to tend the garden up here solely from the profits of a souvenir shop that only sold useless crap and donations. When the shop closed, so did the pocketbooks of visitors. The principal wanted the park restored for its historical value, but my grandfather had to deal with profits ten percent below expectations along with loan payments. He was even more money-centric than me. Now, the only link between Termi and Piata is the annual Spring Break convoy. I was planning on reversing my predecessor's policy when I gained the empire, but shit happened.... Micheal seemed to be torn between attitudes.

What happened?

The crown jewel of the Hernandez fortune was destroyed. Aiedo. Astronomical loss of property, innumerable loss of life, and irreplacable loss of history. Quite simply, we lost almost everything. Micheal starts clenching his fist. I feel so mad about it, I still get pissed whenever something goes wrong. Even my secretary wears Psy-Armor to work, I get so worked up at times. So that's why she was wearing armor? I just have to feel sorry for the girl. I went absolutely ballistic when word came that there were no survivors.

I decide to tell him. Actually, there was one, that I know of.

Oh?

I look down at my feet. I lost my parents to the fire, but they helped me escape over the wall.

You were there? He almost seemed skeptical.

I also met the doctor who patched me up the other day, too. He was surprised that I was still alive and well.

I know I shouldn't pry, but could you tell me your story? I don't want to repeat past mistakes when I have the finances to rebuild Aiedo.

The next hour went by as I talked about my past, going over the specifics of that fateful night and how I lived afterwards.

...so the fire spread that fast.

I'm sure by the time anyone noticed how big it was, there was no real way to get out of the city.

Micheal looks me directly in the eyes. Thank you for sharing your story. I will admit, my story rolled off the tongue much easier this time, now that I've had to expose my past so much recently.

Jeetoh douses the fire. I suggest that everybody gets some rest. Shalan has already shown face here, so we need to be ready. Marika, I suggest that you take the first watch.

What if Jack tries to take back the Ice Digger?

Demi shakes her head. Impossible. I have both vehicles locked down and slaved to my COM stack. If anybody touches the door handle, I'll know in about 20 milliseconds.

Okay. Everybody, get some sleep. Dora and Demi climb into the tent.

Micheal doesn't seem ready to return to town yet. Instead, he begins staring at the statue. I know it's silly after all these years, but I still wonder what she was like....

Jeetoh pats Micheal's shoulder. I can give you a little background on Alis if you want. Her exploits are still celebrated where I'm from. Micheal turns around. Come into the tent. I'm working on something right now. With Ray likely still in town, I find myself quite alone for the first time in a long while. The waning moon isn't putting out enough light for me to read, so I keep my mind alert by walking about the camp.

I eventually find myself standing in front of the statue. I don't have much else to do, so I decide to climb the statue and start pulling off the vines. Strange; given the age of this vine, it doesn't seem to have damaged the stone surface at all. A few simple tugs, and the statue appears like new. I climb back down and step back to have a better look.

Alis seems to be a few years younger than me, yet also more mature, somehow. I can see how some could be mesmerized by her beauty. The way she holds herself seems to exude confidence, like she knows how important she was. I almost feel as if she is able to see me... no, it's just an old statue, that isn't possible.

I'm curious, Alis. Did you ever have such a struggle within yourself? Of all the adversity you had to overcome to become a hero of old, how much came from within? From fear?

I pause, half expecting the statue to say that it's an inanimate object that can't listen to a random girl's questions. I kneel down in front of it. I know I'm afraid of many things. Am I doing the right thing, turning my back on a bright future to stop something which I'm not sure even exists? I don't truly know why I'm here. The wind picks up, giving me a chill. I realize that I forgot my shirt and jacket on the lakefront. I don't see how other girls put up with these skimpy tops.

I guess the thing that that worries me the most, though, is the possibility that I might lose one of my friends. I've lost so much in the past. The statue's smile seems softer than I first noticed. I close my eyes. I'm sure the others would think that I'm crazy, talking to an inanimate object, but I'm feeling better already. I guess I should focus on protecting what I have now, rather than lament over the past.

What's that? My ears perk up to a rustle in the grass behind me... an animal? As I'm about to get up, something presses against the front of my neck. A hand comes, flicks off my headset and comes over my mouth before I can say anything. A harsh voice whispers in my ear, You even try to raise the alarm, I slit your throat. Understand? I start to turn to face my aggressor, but the blade against my throat presses down in response. I carefully nod, realizing the futility of resistance at this point.

Get up. I stand, the hand over my mouth reaching to my arms. He makes me put my hands together, and grabs my wrists, tugging upward to demonstrate. Pain shoots through my shoulders as he tests the limit of my flexibility.

You're coming with me.... He begins forcing me backwards into the brush.

I wouldn't do that if I were you. I get swung around like a shield. Jeetoh?

Fuck you, damn hypocrite.

Jeetoh takes a step forward, and I see the knife point at my throat, threatening to stab.

You don't even know what a hypocrite is anymore, Mr. Landiet. You're just insane.

Damn it, I don't care what you say, and that's that! I'm taking the hot one for myself, then I'm killing you all, so fuck off! I get dragged back towards the campsite.

Mr. Hernandez? I hear another person behind us, and I get swung around to face Micheal, holding a flimsy looking sword and blocking Jack's path.

I even hear the blade whistle as it passes by my head, proving his willingness to use it. I suggest that you let the poor girl go. Compared to what she's lived through, you're just a shit stain on the floor.

NO! Shalan shifts to a nelson hold, leaving my right arm free. I quickly concoct a plan in my head, but timing's crucial for it to succeed....

Dora? Demi? The two exit the tent, weapons ready. Did they know this was about to happen?

Micheal and Demi sweep to surround us as Dora wipes her axe with a rag. I would like to offer you a deal. Let Marika go, and I'll let you live. Deal?

I-I refuse to bow to your bureaucratic regime! Shalan points his knife at Dora.

Then try this rule! I yell as I extend my right claw. I feel a sharp bump as the blades reach the bone in his leg. He howls in pain as his grip relaxes, and I twist away. I suddenly see a glint flash in front of my face, and I fall to the ground. I wasn't quite fast enough.... I get back up and face Jack. Even his eyes glint of insanity, as he wildly flails the knife at us, trying to make us keep our distance. Demi fires her weapon, but instead of flames and a loud bang, I only see a pressure wave erupt in Shalan's direction. I feel the echo in my ears, but I can't hear it for some reason; Jack gets knocked backwards, dropping his knife. I focus my anger, and dive at him. I drive my claws through his flanks, and he drops almost immediately, unable to breathe with titanium crammed through his ribcage. That eliminated him as a threat! I withdraw the blades once I'm sure the damage is permanent. I stand up and spit in his face.

He's barely able to speak as we stand over him. You... are all... the same.

Dora holds her axe against Jack's neck. We don't prey on others. Perhaps conformity is sometimes good. I turn away as Dora reels back to strike.

Hypocrites.... Was all he said as I step away. I put my hand to my face. I feel a stinging pain on my forehead, and I pull my hand away to see blood on my fingers.

Demi notices my wound. Marika! Her yell catches everyone's attention, and they crowd around me. What's that saying about a friend in need...? Bastard knicked me when I got free.

Hold this on the cut. I see Micheal offering a silk handkerchief. I put it on the cut and begin to press down to stop the bleeding. Jeetoh picks up something on the ground and hands it to me.

Your radio.

I look him in the eyes. You know, your ability to read my mind is rather scary.

He shrugs. Glad to help.

I fumble the headset into speakerphone and squelch it. Good, Mr. Man won't kill me in my sleep. Kadary Hunter's Guild, are you still open?

Yes we are. How can I help you?

This is Hunter Ashley. I was just attacked by a man on the edge of Termi. I killed him in self defense. Could you tell me Shalen Landiet's physical description?

Male Parmanian, in his mid 40s. About six foot, medium build, balding, black hair, blue eyes. Likely apparel includes technologically advanced equipment and weapons, and clothing typical of a University professor. He might have an identification badge on his person. I look him over, and see how the body matches the description. He has several more of those smoking cans on his belt. I grab a red one to look at. Out of curiosity, I pull on a small ring and throw it at the abandoned souvenir shop. No sleeping smoke? Suddenly, a large explosion with a pressure wave stronger than dynamite goes off, making a bang so loud that it leaves my ears ringing.

Oops. Dogs start barking all around; I think I just woke up half of Termi....

Dora and Micheal glare at me as they take over searching Landiet's pockets. Dora finds a small card in a trouser pocket. I found an ID card. Professor Landiet, Shalan.. Technology Department, Motavia University. Piata Campus. This card expired 3 years ago.

Yes, Kadary, he has an ID card. How do I claim the reward?

Since there is no specific client when it comes to warrants, you need to have a major figure from the nearest town vouch on your deed. If your claim later proves fraudulent, we can suspend your license and issue a hefty fine to your voucher. Do you have someone immediately available?

I hand the radio to Micheal. I'm Micheal Hernandez, of Termi. I personally saw Mad Jack's death and subsequent identification. I confirm your hunter's actions.

Very well. Hunter Ashley, I have your reward at the guild. You and Hunter Blades are both authorized to accept the payment. I have a couple miscellaneous tasks that could use an experienced hand, if you wish to have a look at the messages when you get back, hunter.

Thank you much. End of Transmission.

Dora pulls out some gauze and tape from a kit bag. Let me see that cut.

I take away the handkerchief, and Dora patches the hole in my head. What would I do without your help, Dora?

Jeetoh points to the tent. I suggest everybody gets some sleep now. I have no objections to the suggestion, and am soon partaking in the comfort of a sound sleep.

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