Perfidy

The journey took us so far off our track that we ended up walking familiar paths.

“I didn’t think we’d be anywhere near this place ever again,” Estelle said and frowned. “I don’t like it.” The bruises have mostly disappeared by now but the memories were still fresh and painful. “Maybe we could go further around and avoid it.” It was a most prudent course of action yet I was also somewhat interested in what had become of the place since we were last there.

“What is it?” Nicodeme asked.

“It’s our previous money making scheme,” I said after Estelle just glumly stared in its direction. “It’s a linear accelerator facility. We got some nice bits and bobs from there. Sadly it was a one time journey for us.” I told him about the encounter with the gang leader Ruben and his thugs.

“Oh yes. I do seem to remember you being adorned in colourful blotches. So it wasn’t a fashion statement,” Nicodeme said, earning a middle finger from me.

“Let’s go check it our,” I said.

“What?!” Estelle said with exasperation. “Are you insane? Do you know what they’ll do to us if they find us again?” It was a strange sight to see her take my usual position on the matter.

“Don’t worry, I don’t intend to show myself to them. We’ll just take a peek from the cover of bushes and ferns to see how they’re going along. It will actually be safer than going around since we will always know where they are. No surprises for us.” I could tell that she disliked the idea but wouldn’t object.

We made our way up a slope from which we could see the facility. It was a more impressive sight than I had anticipated. Several tents were built around the building with the underground entrance to the linear accelerator. The hustle and bustle reminded me of a miniature version of Ferroviaire with people carrying sorting and dismantling various pieces of technology. There were still people shouting and pushing others around but all in all it seemed like a productive and effective enterprise.

“These guys will empty the entire thing in a matter of weeks,” I whispered to Estelle. She just nodded and I could see she was also surprised by the sight. We watched the scene for a while. I was about to suggest we move on when Nicodeme came in closer.

“Those guys look pretty dangerous,” he said.

“Sure are,” I replied.

“You know, there is something I forgot to mention before.”

“Yes?”

“Here’s the thing. I am going to need to use the artefact.”

“What?” I asked, almost too loud.

“What’s going on?” Estelle asked.

“It’s been a fun ride with you two rats, but now I’ll have to go,” Nicodeme said.

It was a shock, but I reached for my gun. Before I could draw, Nicodeme kicked me. A normal kick can hurt. A kick from the exoskeleton sent me flying down the slope. In the same movement he had also grabbed Estelle and threw her down as well. He shouted loud enough for the entire camp to hear then I heard the thumps of his boots on the ground as he ran away.

“Estelle run!” I growled. We got to our feet and dashed away. Screams echoed from the camp. They already knew exactly where we were. I cursed that bastard. I knew he would betray us. I let my guard down again. I looked back as I ran and could already see people running through the thicket after us. I felt the gun at my side and considered drawing it. I decided against it. In general there was an unwritten rule to not use lethal force against other people unless provoked. If I drew a weapon, it would give them every excuse to kill us both. There was also no question whether that would happen. We stood no chance fighting against this entire gang of hardened thugs.

Estelle let out a terrified scream. I felt my blood go cold as I looked for her. I saw her being restrained by one of the thugs with two more catching up. I stopped. There was no reason to escape, if it was me alone. In the very least I could be glad they were able to show enough restrain not to attack with their weapons. They saw I had no more intention to run, so they just walked slowly as they surrounded me.

“Of course. Who else could it be if not the two of you. I’d have thought you’d learned your lesson by now. What is it? Here to rob us? Surely you aren’t really that daft.” Ruben walked into the fray.

“We didn’t do anything,” Estelle protested. “We were just passing by.”

“Right, of course. In that case I should probably just let you go on your merry way,” Ruben said with a sarcastic tone.

“Yes?” Estelle’s response was between a statement and a question.

“I don’t think so kids. I know what you two are up to. In fact we had a good look at that old crater facility that you’ve visited not so long ago. Fairly disappointing. But when we run out of loot in this place we just might stop by for a visit there if nothing else pops up. Junk like that is barely worth it, but with our good organisation and manpower we can make pretty much anything happen.”

“So you know about it already,” I hissed. “There is nothing else we can give you. You already took everything from us.”

“Oh don’t be like that son. I didn’t see you complain when we took out that massive infestation of monsters or when that band of psychopaths was terrorising the entire region. You benefit from our work even if you aren’t one of us. Anyway, let’s get down to business. I hope you can see that I’m doing what I can to make things easy for you despite your lack of cooperation. You should think about showing a little appreciation. Not that a youngster like you would be able to. Ah, look at me rambling. So in short, I will let you go and you will follow your mechanical friend. More importantly, you will retrieve the artefact before him or reclaim it from him and bring it back here. We will be here working on this facility and she stays with us so that you don’t get any bright ideas. Do that and we can consider ourselves settled for good.”

I stared at the scoundrel. My hand itched for the grip of the gun. “What else can you possibly take from us. Let her go.” My voice was low and hard. “We will go together and bring it back.”

“Not a chance though I don’t think it would do you all that much good even if I released her anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

Ruben gestured to the man holding Estelle. He simply released her. She squeaked with pain and began falling down. In a blink of an eye the man caught her by the shoulders and let her shift her weigh to the other leg. Ruben looked at me and shrugged.

“I’m sorry,” Estelle said in a quiet voice.

“As I’ve said. It doesn’t really matter either way. She will stay with us as insurance and you can rest assured that she won’t run away. Now run along you little shit, that bastard has a good head start and is way too fast. You better hope he starts conserving his energy.”

It was a hopeless situation. No amount of violence, bartering or begging would end in both of us walking away. The rage was boiling inside of me. How dare that brute take everything from us and then act as if he is doing us a favour? So much for trusting people. It had been a mistake from the start. We should’ve just robbed Nicodeme and left him there. I wonder how well his legs would work then. I took the coil gun that she had dropped to the ground. In silence Estelle passed me the ammunition and kept giving me various items from her backpack. The thug that had been holding her was now just supporting her and kept her balance.

“Estelle, I will be back. Stay safe.” I saw the sadness in her eyes. It wasn’t for herself but me. I turned and started running after Nicodeme with her faint goodbye resounding inside my head.