KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK
He groaned, even before his eyes opened.
"Who the hell, would be bothering him this early?" he thought to himself before rolling over and tugging his blanket up and over his head. His bed was small and the mattress was a bit lumpy, but it was his and it was warm. And that was enough.
KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK
He groaned again, but it was louder and more frustrated.
"Fuckin' what!!!!" he yelled at his door.
"Chief," came the sheepish reply. He knew the voice- it belonged to officer Bell.
The Marshall sat up and angrily tossed his blanket off of his chest, rubbed his face with the heels of his hands, then moved his fingers through his hair from front to back. He twisted around and brought his legs over the edge of the bed with a heavy sigh.
On his nightstand sat a bottle of unfinished ale, which he promptly grabbed and downed it. It was cool, but warmer than it should have been to be truly enjoyable. Still, he drank it and was happy to wet his parched throat.
With no small amount of effort, he stood, the bed creaking as he did. Being a Brawler had the benefits of enhanced strength and hardened bones and stronger connective tissues, but it also meant they weighed a lot more. He looked down at the man sized divot in his bed as proof of that fact.
His home was spartan, almost to the point of ascetic, but that was fine as it was only a single room, studio flat. It could have come from one of those hotels meant for bachelors, newly divorced men, or those on extended business. There was a small table with two chairs, a two-person couch with a coffee table, a single window with a scrap of an old blanket as its curtain, and a tiny kitchenette.
The only item out of place was the massive safe at the end of his bed. It was a weathered matte green, the gold lettering and brand of the safe's maker was faded and absent in parts, its five spoke handle had the patina of wear, but it was secure.
Wyatt shambled over to the door and cracked it open. To his dismay, it was still dark, which, while it saved his eyes from their tender state having just opened, did little to assuage is annoyance at the man currently standing on his stoop. While Bell's voice lacked confidence earlier, he must have found some steel for both his spine and expression.
Jakob Bell was a good kid, loyal, and had the potential to make an outstanding officer. The fire elemental was an asset for both his duties as a deputy and as a sergeant in the local militia. Bell was a lean man who stood at just under six feet tall and his sandy brown hair was peeking out under his ball cap. Chocolate colored eyes sat below blonde brows, while a day-old stubble covered his upper lip, chin, and jaw. He appeared to be waiting for Wyatt to speak.
Instead The Marshall just raised an eyebrow.
Bell took the hint and started to talk.
"Katie is at the Lotus House with Hudson," the deputy began. "Apparently there was some petty vandalism and she says she is missing some lumber for their new dock."
Wyatt, narrowed his eyes. This wasn't something he was normally called to investigate. He and the Smythes' had a great professional relationship and Wyatt knew both Hudson and Kate trusted his deputies. There was more to the story than perhaps even Jakob knew.
"Ok," Wyatt replied. "Let me grab my jacket and I'll head over there." He studied Bell for a minute, "would you mind heading into town and see if anyone else is reporting anything stolen?"
"Not at all, boss," Jakob replied, but didn't move off of Wyatt's stoop. Evidently he had something else to say.
"Yes?" Wyatt asked, annoyance coloring his voice.
"I was going to wait until later, chief, but Maddie is asking for you to stop by the Butcher's Block," he said, the earlier resolve melted, and Bell wasn't able to look Wyatt in the eye.
Wyatt sniffed a laugh.
The boy had a crush on the proprietor of the settlement's farm and was terrible at hiding it.
"Ok, Jake," he replied, a paternal tone evident as he said the first part. To emphasize he nodded in an overly exaggerated motion. Jakob's face colored then he just tipped his hat, shook his head at the absurdity of the action, then walked away with purpose. Wyatt just chuckled as he watched the man fade into the dark.
"The dark," he thought, his mood souring again. "It's too early for this," Wyatt said to himself as he closed the door.
The Marshall stepped back to his bed and pulled his belt and holster off the frame's post. With a click, he was armed. He stared at the safe and considered bringing something more, but pushed the thought aside. The Lotus House wasn't far away and he would be traveling in his old Willy Jeep. His pistol would be more than enough.
He grabbed his worn leather jacket off one of the dining chairs, grabbed a roll from his counter, placed it in his mouth, then stepped out of his door. The baked good had come from one of the residents as a means to convey appreciation. Wyatt had helped with some repairs to the woman's house. She was a very talented artificer, but she just needed someone to hold the pieces of her project in place. He hadn't been busy, so he was more than willing to oblige.
It served two purposes. One, it helped the community, which was his primary goal, and two, it would make her more willing to talk with him about her concerns or answer questions if he ever had to ask them. It was a bit Machiavellian, but he was the settlement's Law after all.
Wyatt grabbed the door handle of his ride and pulled, it creaked as it swung open. It was a reminder he might have to stop by the Vroom Vroom Room either to have the mechanics treat it or get some lubricant from them. He sighed.
"It's always something," Wyatt muttered through the roll in his mouth as he got in the jeep.
The vehicle started without protest. Well, maybe a little protest, but it seemed to be of the same opinion as Wyatt. "Too damned early to be doing this.
He pulled out of his "driveway" and started west toward the Lotus House which meant he would pass the Grand Slammer. His office and what passed as the town's jail loomed just off the road. It's dim, yellow lights, made it stand out against the dark beckoning him.
"Yeah, yeah," he said between bites of the roll. "I'll be there soon."
The jeep rolled on, a few twists of the road, and soon he arrived at his destination. Unsurprisingly, Katie and Hudson were sitting outside the wrap-around porch of the environmental's establishment. Hudson, aka Doc, was speaking to his wife but then stopped and turned to look at Wyatt's jeep when it pulled up.
The Marshall stopped the jeep, put it in park, then turned the key to shut the aging engine down. His roll finished, he stepped out of his jeep and put on his jacket to blunt the chill in the autumn air. Wyatt waved then walked over to the couple. For their part they both stood. It made him smile.
People like Katie and Hudson were what his mom used to call "good people". Even in the Hell that was the current state of the world, these two were not ones to forget simple social graces. It made him forget, at times, that the world had changed.
"Good morning, Wyatt," Katie said in her soothing voice, while Doc remained silent.
"Mornin', Katie," Wyatt replied.
Katie, or Goldilocks if you didn't know her, and Hudson were the heartbeat of the settlement. They were a study in opposites attracting one another. Doc was gruff, blunt, and bristled at everything; while Katie was calm, delicate, and was perfectly convivial. Together, the pair of them saw to the health of the settlement.
"Hey, Doc," he said to the man, but only received a nod as a way of greeting.
"Sorry to call you so early, Wyatt," Katie started, "but we thought you might need to see this."
He raised an eyebrow, "what?" he asked Katie, but it was Doc that answered.
"Raiders," he said simply, but matter of factly. It was almost surprising. Doc was a man of few words, unless he was speaking to Katie or berating Bones in the clinic. Not that the man was mute, but he was the epitome of stoic. Still, the term "raiders" got Wyatt's attention.
"Raiders?" he asked Doc, but, this time, it was Katie that replied.
"The lumber," she said quietly. It was evident that had hurt her. Goldilocks saw her mission as one to soothe and improve the lives of her fellow mutates. Someone depriving the Lotus House of resources to do that was clearly bothering her. Not everyone was as selfless as she was, so that didn't mean it had to be raiders.
"People nee--," Wyatt began, but Doc interrupted.
"The tag," Hudson said looking at Katie and placing his arm across her shoulder in support.
"What about the tag?" Wyatt asked.
The couple was silent for a long while, then Katie spoke. "Come on, Wyatt, we'll show you."
he trio walked around to the back of the elemental's establishment, where her porch stretched out over the water and morphed into a dock above a small pond. Wyatt saw the pile of lumber, some of the boards had been scattered, and he could see patches of earth that were faded where the building material had sat. It was clear they had been recently removed. He found Hudson and Katie staring at the wall, and then he saw why.
It was a simple design: flat on the bottom, with three humps on top. It was childish in a way, but it was far more threatening. Iconography could speak volumes in a way that even words lacked, and for the three of the settlement leaders standing there looking at it, they heard the message.
A cloud.
"CloudDancer?" Wyatt asked incredulously.
"We think so," Katie answered while Doc just nodded. "It happened late last night. Thankfully, all my clients were gone."
"Obviously, no one saw anything," Wyatt replied. Katie's employees would have come straight to him, he hoped, had they been present for the criminal activity.
"Obviously," Doc echoed.
"Well, we ca-," Katie was interrupted by the sound of gravel crunching underneath vehicle tires. The trio looked toward the origin of the noise, but seeing as how they were behind the building, they didn't know who'd just arrived. They were soon disabused of their ignorance.
"Wyatt!"
"Fuckin, Cody," The Marshall said shaking his head and closing his eyes. When he opened them again Katie was smiling, but Hudson remained stoic as ever. Wyatt sighed, for what must have been the umpteenth time this morning.
"Back here, Cody!" Wyatt yelled, hoping his voice carried over the building. Soon they were greeted with the sounds of footfalls on the grass before the man rounded the corner of the Lotus House.
"Hey, Cody," Katie said.
"Hiya, Kate," the young man replied. His black hair was a mess and he had bags beneath his blue eyes. Wyatt figured the man had been up all night, again, but that didn't diminish the crazy light dancing within Cody's irises.
"What's up, Cody?" Wyatt asked. The artificer turned his attention from Katie and to The Marshall.
"Oh, I was just seeing what was going on," Cody began, "I saw your jeep here and figured I should investigate."
"Yeah?" Wyatt asked skeptically. As with many of the artificers, one could not trust they didn't have larger plans than they revealed.
"Well," Cody said, drawing the word out. "I've also got your booze, Wyatt."
"Uh huh, Two Shots," Wyatt replied as he crossed his arms, the tone of his voice indicating he still wasn't buying it.
"Heh," Cody replied, his right hand finding the back of his neck in a nervous posture.
"I've also got the delivery for White Noise..."
"And you want me to bring it to them?" Wyatt asked. It did not go unnoticed by The Marshall that Katie and Hudson were watching the back and forth, and even Doc was grinning; though you would never get that man to admit it.
"I mean, you'll have to head that way eventually," Cody said with a shrug of his shoulder.
Wyatt just pointed his finger in the artificer's face, "You're fuckin' fortunate I am headed over to Maddie's, you lazy piece of shit." He was angry. Cody was a smart as mutate brothers and sisters, but Wyatt secretly wondered if the man's expertise was in the science of procrastination.
"Well," Cody replied with another shrug.
Wyatt drew back a fist, but Katie's voice, as was her gift, stilled the disquiet.
"And, Wyatt, I'd hate to be a bother, but..." she began, her voice soothing the anger The Marshall felt. Wyatt felt a bit embarrassed by his raised fist and winced, but only a little. Cody, who'd shut his eyes expecting a punch, slowly opened them.
"Would you mind," Katie continued, "giving Hudson a ride back to our house?"
"Clinic," Doc corrected softly.
"Clinic," Katie amended and looked to Doc affectionately. "I'll just stay here and open the Lotus."
Wyatt looked between Hudson and Katie, then back to Cody. All anger had departed at the Intuitive's words, and he stepped back from the annoying artificer.
"Yeah, Katie," Wyatt said with a huff. "That's not a problem."
He then looked to Cody, "and if your shit isn't in my jeep by the time I leave, you're doing your own fucking deliveries." He stepped toward the owner of Food 'n Stuff, "you got that?"
"Yup," Cody replied.
The artificer scampered off and Wyatt turned to Smythes. "About CloudDancer, I will have Bell and the other deputies on the alert. We've," he pointed to Doc, "a council meeting tonight. I'll bring it up to Red and the others."
He pressed his lips together and looked to the south, over Katie's dock and the pond on which it sat. "If CloudDancer is making a move..."
"Yeah," Doc said, looking in the same direction as Wyatt.
Wyatt turned to Katie, his eyes softening even as he spoke, "I know I can't demand anything of you, but if any of Havoc's racers mention anything..." He let the question hang in the air.
She mimicked his earlier action and pressed her own lips together. There was a long silence, then she spoke. It was a simple word, but it was enough. "Ok."
Wyatt nodded then turned to Doc, "Ready?"
Hudson just nodded.
The Marshall took that as a "yes" and started walking to his Jeep trusting the medical artificer was following. As they rounded the corner, it looked like Cody was finishing loading the jeep with the booze for both Wyatt and the White Noise. To confirm this assumption, the owner of Food 'n Stuff spoke.
"All loaded up, sheriff," Cody said, a little out of breath. Apparently, Wyatt's threat was enough to get the lazy man moving.
"And my order?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"In the driver's seat," Cody replied while he walked to his own vehicle. The artificer drove a simple green pickup, an amalgamation of parts, but looked to be a Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10 with an extended bed. The cab was a simple two person. The truck was pragmatic and ideal for deliveries.
"Alright," was all Wyatt said before climbing into his own vehicle, Doc doing the same. Just as Hudson shut the door, Wyatt turned the key, and the two of them were off toward the clinic. It would be a quiet ride, but The Marshall wasn't going to complain. The sun was only just rising, so he would let the birds and their songs fill the air instead.
The road led them east and past the #grand-slammer once again. His mistress singing her Siren song, but he was able to ignore it. The presence of Doc helped with that.
"The boarding house is quiet," Doc said. It was uncommon for the man to comment without a prompt, which meant the man was uncomfortable. Perhaps it was the threat of CloudDancer or just seeing his wife's business vandalized, but it was enough to make the man speak actual words.
"Yeah," Wyatt said, his eyebrows raised in surprise. Thankfully the dark would keep Hudson from seeing his expression. "But," he continued, "I bet the weather brings more people to the Harbor."
"Hmph," was all Doc said, his taciturn nature returning.
Wyatt grinned and shook his head. Doc was, well...., a complicated man. Anyone who'd lived in ThunderDome knew that the best way to get anywhere with the man was to go through Katie. Unless you had a medical emergency, it was like talking to a wall.
They crested a small hill and Fed-Exodus came into view. The settlement's post office, for lack of a better term. Management disputes left it without a consistent administration, but it worked regardless. It served as a return to normal. Although it was probably easier just to drop a letter off at a neighbors, the town used it as a means of communication. There was something wholesome about the enterprise, but Wyatt was loathe to use it.
Face to face was the way for him. Wyatt turned to Doc, thinking the man was of the same vein. And that was when he was surprised again.
"Stop," the artificer said just as the courier house was beside them.
"Okay," Wyatt said, drawing out the word. The vehicle slowed to a stop and then he slapped into park again before looking over to Hudson.
"I'll walk from here," Doc said just as he started opening the door. "Work to do."
Wyatt, pulled the jeep into drive and continued north toward one of the town's taverns. The stout building sat on the outskirts of town and was popular with both the locals and travelers alike. Run by Bear and Doe, it offered hot meals, cold brews, and a place to hide from the world or find companionship with the other wastelanders.
The stop was short and sweet. Bear got his order, but Wyatt didn't see Doe. She was still asleep. A bartender's schedule was as close to nocturnal as one could find, and Wyatt was sure she had even less sleep than he had. Wyatt waved the Hunter goodbye, then traveled to The Butcher's Block to see just what Maddie wanted.
Traveling west once more, he could see the Quack Shack off to his left. He hoped Doc made it there without incident, but soon had to focus on the road. Fog had slipped in as he left the high ground and started his descent into the valleys in which the farm sat.
Narrowly avoiding some deer that had decided it was time to cross the highway, it was a long while before Wyatt finally arrived at his destination. He pulled up close to Maddie's house and was not surprised to see a lone flashlight moving out of the massive barn and toward him.
He shut off the jeep and stepped out into the mist.
"Wyatt?" a sweet voice asked. It belonged to Maddie, and Wyatt would not keep the girl guessing.
"Heya, Maddie," he replied in a soft tone of greeting just as she slipped out of the fog. She smiled when she saw him and he couldn't help but smile back, the woman had that effect on almost everyone.
She cocked her hip to one side and placed her fist on it. The other hand made a quick swirling motion, and soon the mist was pushed away from them. The aero elemental revealed her part of her ranch house, Wyatt's jeep, and the path up toward the Barn.
"Hmmm," she said, "I thought maybe Jakob forgot to tell you to come and see me."
Wyatt, still smiling, replied, "I doubt he would forget something like that."
She smiled then shrugged, "yeah." Maddie looked around and apparently decided it was light enough, so she clicked her flashlight off. The elemental stepped closer to Wyatt before she spoke again.
"I thought, maybe," she started tentatively, "maybe we had some wolves, but then..."
"Then what?" Wyatt asked her.
She sighed, "follow me."
Maddie led them through the massive barn. The building was filled with an assortment of creatures: cattle, chickens, emu, sheep, and rabbits. It was multistoried and had everything from feed to hay to bedding. Maddie and her father, Cillian, were vital to the survival of the settlement. If not for them, then the town would have to subside on what was brought in from the hunters, gathers, and fishers.
It was an unspoken law, but if Cillian or Maddie asked for help, you gave it.
The owner of the Butcher's Block walked through the barn and out into her fields. It was a bit of a trek and soon Wyatt was wishing he'd grabbed more than just that roll. Even as he trudged on, he dreamed of asking the girl for one of her famous breakfasts.
It was another reason people loved to help the Conways. When they compensated you for your efforts, it was always far more than you could ever ask.
Soon they were standing by the fence.
"At first, it was just a couple a couple lambs, but then.." she looked toward the east, "a tenth of our flock just disappeared."
That grabbed Wyatt's attention. "Maddie, why didn't you say anything?" His expression was a mixture of shock and anger. The PeaceMaker was looking intently into her eyes.
She turned on him, "what do you think I am doing now, Mr. Thompson... er," Maddie had to correct herself, "Wyatt?"
"Raiders?" Wyatt said in a quiet voice, but his stare was no less intense.
She held up numerous strands of thin metal that was affixed to the fence posts in the field. "You know any wolves or bears that carry around wire-cutters?"
He just shook his head, "No."
Maddie tossed the wire aside, tears welling up in her eyes. "Mr. Thompson, I am worried, I--"
"Hey," Wyatt said, refusing to let her get down on herself. The young woman had acquitted herself admirably since taking over the operations of the Butcher's Block, and he was sure to let her know.
"I'll get some officers over here, yeah?" he began, placing his massive hands on her petite shoulders. "Maybe, I'll see if Jakob can find some time to look into you, er... this." He knowingly corrected himself.
That brought a little laugh from the girl. "Ok," she sniffled.
"In the meantime," Wyatt said looking around the field, "I am headed into town. I'll send over one of the mechanics that I find on my way in. They'll get your fence back in order and might add a surprise for anyone stupid enough to try and fuck with it again, ok?"
She looked up into his face, "Thank you, Mr. T-." Maddie stood a little taller. "Thank you, Wyatt."
"Anytime, Ms. Conway," he said with a tip of his hat. He left her in the field as she had some tending to do. Some of the remaining flock were still agitated, and Maddie would need to calm them. Wyatt was not going to let the girl go without help for long. He also wondered where Cillian was, but figured that mystery would be resolved soon.
Back at his jeep he reached his hand into his pocket for his keys, but his fingers found a scrap of paper. Surprised he'd missed it before, he pulled it out then read it.
"Fuck!" he exclaimed. Wyatt had talked to Red yesterday and the man had passed him a note, but The Marshall hadn't bothered to read it. Until now.
"Well," Wyatt said through gritted teeth, "at least I was headed there anyway."
He hopped in his jeep and angrily turned the key, his vehicle seemed to respond to his emotional state and growled alive. It might have been his imagination, but he felt the jeep had a little more pep as he pressed the petal to the floor. Or maybe he was simply projecting.
Wyatt barely noticed the signs for Another Man's Treasure, but he couldn't ignore the massive pile of scrap that obscured a portion of the northern horizon. It was the metallic wealth of the settlement and was frequently visited by the racer teams. Well, visited by the newest members of the team Daedalus Drivers and Sons of Solo.
Falcon and Havoc led their teams to victory, fame, and most importantly, wealth. Hank and his Sons were the OG racing team and had been in the settlement for as along as Wyatt could remember. Alexandra and her Drivers were the newest team to break into the big times. She had assumed the vacuum following Ryu's fall, and the girl was making up for lost time. Her motor-cross riders were next-level.
Wyatt wondered if they had any idea what troubles Maddie and Katie were experiencing. Much less, would they even care. Perhaps Falcon and Havoc would understand the potential crisis, but The Marshall couldn't be sure.
It wasn't long before he was passing the Dome- the reason for the town's name.
The structure was a modern marvel of art and science and seemed to poke a finger in the eye of the SP rulers. Maui had the thing built for bouts between skilled fighters, but it was so much more than that now. Thankfully, Lokela was just fine with it all. The laid back, former MMA fighter, was just happy to entertain the residents of ThunderDome.
Not long after, Wyatt pulled up to Even Odds. For what seemed like the thousandth time, he put his jeep in park and got out. He walked over to the doors of the betting house, pulled them opened, then stepped in.
He was greeted by the scent of cigar smoke, spilled alcohol, and sweat. There was always a lot of activity in the makeshift casino, but this early in the morning it was empty. Much like cockroaches and lights, the clients of Even Odds scampered away when the sun finally rose.
That was fine with Wyatt. He didn't much care for the place.
He walked through the vast, empty room. Paper littered the floor and reminded him of the old videos of the stock exchange. He smiled thinking about Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd in that classic film about unfettered capitalism and anthropological theory.
Wyatt knocked on the office door marked with single symbol.
Ď€
"Yes?" came the voice beyond the door. It belonged to Pythagoras, the owner of the betting house and the de facto banker of the Rusted Bank. Though Wyatt did not personally like the man, what with is propensity to push people into his debt, he couldn't argue the man was principled.
"Pi, it's Wyatt," The Marshall replied.
"Well, come in, man," Pythagoras responded.
Wyatt opened the door and was pleased to find that fate had not completely abandoned him. At least it was saving him a couple of trips. Maui and Nitro were sitting in the office with the owner of Even Odds.
"Hey Charles," he said to Pythagoras, addressing the man with his true name. Then he looked to Maui and Nitro, "Lokela, Laura."
Both nodded, but Laura treated him with a wink. The artificer was the current proprietor of Chariots and Tire, and while she would totally geek out over planes, surfaces, road conditions, and optimal turn rates, she was happy to flirt with abandon.
Wyatt was never sure if it was just another game for her or if she was really interested in him. He wasn't ready to test the theory just yet. He'd been burned before, and the town was too small to have too many broken-hearted couples to remain operational.
"Hiya, chief," Laura said, her eyes lingering on his... belt.
Wyatt had to stifle a shake of his head. He took a moment to collect himself, which Nitro just seemed to relish. Her hazel eyes were drinking him in, and he felt more slab of meat than man.
"Maybe, he'd let her try...." he mused before he cleared his throat and addressed the three of them as one.
"Red just wanted to remind you all," he started.
"We know, Watt," Charles responded. It wasn't quite annoyed, but Wyatt could tell that the man thought he had better things to do. Speaking of, why were they all gathered together now, he wondered. So, he asked.
"Why--," he began before he was interrupted by Laura.
"Big race, Marsh," her voice silky smooth.
"Not fair," Wyatt thought. There was no denying she was lovely, but she was an artificer to boot. It was a deadly combination. One he was feeling less and less intent on resisting.
"But that doesn't explain why--" Wyatt started, but was interrupted by Pythagoras this time.
"Why Lokela is here?" the damned artificer smiled at him. "We're trying to plan a fight beforehand. A real one, two punch, if you pardon the pun."
Wyatt rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. Sounds great." He held up his hands in both defense and defeat. Too many artificers and it got really dry and annoying real quick.
"Just bring the books, ok?" Wyatt said in exasperation. "I want to go home early tonight."
The three of them nodded. Red's request, made through Wyatt, was to bring the town's official accounting of chits to the Hall of Wisdom for inspection by the town leaders. It was done quarterly in the presence of the council to ensure everything was on the "up and up." It was one of the few things the council did right in Wyatt's opinion.
It was also one of the few laws that would mean a death sentence if someone were to violate them. Mess with the books or try to counterfeit chits, and the entire settlement would be howling for blood. It was a harsh, but lasting lesson for newcomers should anyone commit such a grave sin.
"Yes, sir," Havoc saluted, and even so, there was a subtext that spoke of something far more illicit and was wickedly alluring.
"Damn that woman," Wyatt thought, but only smiled and nodded once. "Thank you. I'll see you all tonight."
With that, he walked out of the office and then casino, intent on his jeep.
Wyatt sat in the driver's seat for moment. He needed to make a decision. Head toward the office and begin his day working through the paperwork and laundry list of to-dos, or head into town and let Red know he spoke to the book holders. It was starting to become a difficult decision, until his stomach made a vote.
He'd not eaten in several hours and his enhanced metabolism demanded something to quell the hunger.
"Downtown it is," Wyatt said looking down at his stomach. He turned the key to bring the jeep alive and then headed toward the Hall of Wisdom, hoping that Red would be there.
On a normal day, Wyatt would have driven past the Vroom Vroom Room as a way to see more of the town. It was important for the merchants and residents to see the face of the law as often as possible. It made his officers and himself more real and personal. Betraying a stranger is easy. A friend? Not so much.
And Wyatt was the friendly neighborhood Brawler.
In a matter of minutes he was outside the markets of downtown and parked in one of the many marked spots for vehicles. Being the sheriff, he had marked parking locations, but he did not like to use them unless he had to. Instead, he pulled into an available space, turned the jeep off, and opened the door to step into the streets of the ThunderDome.
Wyatt walked past a few merchant stands, but he knew what he was about. His favorite breakfast purveyor was selling his favorite item. Sure, it was a knockoff of the McGriddle, but he didn't care. What's more, they would would do double stacks for him. And it was gorgeous.
Scrambled eggs, cheese, sausage patties between maple syrup filled pancakes. It was ambrosia, and he ate them with abandon. He was a baker's dozen in before he even looked up. It was heaven and he didn't care who saw.
Besides, the seller was smiling and happily making more. The woman even asked Wyatt if he needed a couple for the road.
"Of course," he said with a smile.
He was still licking his fingers clean when he saw the Hall of Wisdom and its tall, ivy covered, tower. Even more pleasing than that sight, was the trio of individuals gathered at a cafe table just outside the building. If he had been unsure of Fate's blessing earlier, he could not ignore it now.
Assembled and talking together, completely unaware of The Marshall's presence, sat Hoffa, Red, and Cillian. Apparently they were in a very animated discussion. Hoffa seemed to be dominating the intercourse, his hands whipping about. The Merchant representative on the council was always full of opinions.
Cillian sat back with his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed. It was a posture Wyatt had seen before. The astute aeromancer was considering what he was hearing and did not quite believe it yet. Many who had seen this expression thought the man obstinate, but it couldn't be further from the truth. If Cillian was watching, he was listening. If Cillian rolled his eyes and started to drink, then he was done. At least, that is what Wyatt understood.
Red was implacable as ever. He simply listened, but did not nod, nor did he shake his head. It was the man's patience, like that of his wood elemental gift, the slow and steady acceptance of things. The man was new to the settlement, but the residents recognized his wisdom and demanded he sit at the head of the council. In the year since he'd arrived, the council activities had been slower, but they were deliberate, focused. As a tree creeping out of the underbrush and toward the light of the sun.
Wyatt suppressed a sigh when he looked at Hoffa, the Merchant representative on the council. He was bombastic and drinks were never safe from his arms and hands as his expressive Chicago speech caused him to emphasize his points with physical motion. The Marshall could only guess Hoffa felt his constituents were under-represented, if previous council meetings were any indication.
"Gentlemen," Wyatt interrupted.
Hoffa turned and glared at him. While the council was fairly stable, the man couldn't stand Wyatt's leverage on it. Just like Doc, Wyatt's position was impartial, he was simply there to keep some sort of order in the settlement. Sure, Hoffa could try to vote him out, but the town wouldn't be happy. Much less those on the council like Cillian, Lokela, and Hudson.
"Wyatt," Hoffa sneered and continued to look at Wyatt with derision. Not that the man would try anything. There was a reason The Marshall was the law, and at this close, there was very little the electric elemental could do to stop Wyatt from ripping his arms out of their sockets.
The other greetings were far more familial.
"Wyatt!" Cillian said and uncrossed his arms. "I see you are up early." The man's eyes twinkled. It was all Wyatt could do not to groan and smile at the same time. Cillian, as far as The Marshall was concerned, possessed some fae blood, and the sparkle in the man's eyes were proof.
Before he could respond, Red addressed him. "Good morning, Wyatt."
Wyatt nodded, "Red." He quickly looked between the men assembled then turned speak with Red directly. "Pi, Havoc, and Maui are all prepared to bring their books."
Wyatt considered pausing there simply because Hoffa was still there, but he couldn't put the settlement at risk simply because he didn't care for the man.
"Also, Katie's place was hit last night and it might be more than simple theft," he paused. Hoffa, Donnybrook, and Red looked at him. "There was a cloud tagged on the Lotus House."
All of the men's eyes widened.
Barreling through his report he kept speaking, "and Maddie's lost a significant portion of her sheep."
Cillian bolted up and out of his chair, "What?!"
Wyatt held up his hand, "she's ok and I'll be sending additional patrols to watch the fields, Cillian."
The aeromancer nodded and sat without a word.
Hoffa looked like he was about to talk, but Red cleared his throat, and everyone turned to look at the man that was head of ThunderDome's council.
"It would appear Ryu is getting bold," he said, his languid voice carrying heavy words. The men waited, knowing the man had more to say.
"Our task is to respond accordingly," Red continued. "We cannot be so hard as to drive people to his ranks, but neither can we, through inaction, lose faith with our residents."
The other three men could only nod.
Then there was silence. It was Hoffa that broke it first.
"I'll let the merchants know to be on the look out and to secure their wares at night," the electric elemental said. It was as prudent a choice as could be made, and Wyatt nodded.
"Yeah," Cillian said, "I'll let the residents know, and I will send a couple artificers up to Maddie, Wyatt." The aero elemental smiled toward The Marshall, "at least I can take that off your plate."
"Thanks, Donnybrook," Wyatt replied.
Red stayed silent, just considering all of it.
"I'm headed back to the office, but send a runner if anything changes."
Those assembled nodded and Wyatt turned to go, but then stopped and said to the men,
"In the meantime, I would recommend being suspicious of any newcomers. They might be one of CloudDancer's agents."
A year has past and Mercury and Margot have come to lead the Resistance in the city, especially in the wake of Haley's public trials and imprisonment. The operational success of the mutates fighting Marcus, Magnus, Audrey, and Faith has been mixed at best, but they continue their stand against tyranny and protect their brothers and sisters living in the mutate area of the city. Taking missions these days requires a lot more consideration as their numbers dwindle.
Some missions require no thought whatsoever.
Margot's network received actionable intel on a cache of information that could tie Haley to National Level Resistance Leaders: Jupiter, Neptune, etc. It was an operation Mercury, VooDoo, and the remaining combat arm of the Resistance could not pass up.
After several days of planning, rehearsing, and reconnoitering the objective area, Margot and Mercury led the assault on the records building wherein lie the critical information.
Everything was going according to plan. Each of the three squads was in position, and were set to infiltrate the building, when one of the members of the overwatch team reported movement. It turned out to be a cat, but it got Margot wondering. Second squad entered the building anyway, and that is when everything went sideways.
Explosions erupted from inside the building and machine gun fire split the relative quiet of the night.
It had been an elaborate trap. Marcus and Faith sat in the Magistrate's office and ordered precision strikes on the objective area as well as other Resistance cell locations.
Margot kept Mercury from getting himself killed by tackling the elemental to the ground before he could go running off to try and save platoon members that had no hope of rescue. It was her words, more than her actions, that convinced Mercury to escape the area while they could.
Mercury and Margot lived that night, but the Resistance did not.
On orders from the Magistrate, Magnus and Audrey found themselves traveling to Our Lady of Hopelessness Detention Center, a veritable Chateau D'If for mutates that were declared abject enemies to the state. It was there that the two Artificers would interrogate the mutate Resistance contact known as Haley. They needed information for a rumored operative in the Seattle area going by the handle Libra.
Magnus had ensured Haley had been "softened" up prior to their visit. Deprived of sleep and adequate nutrition for four days, the mutate was sure to become much more pliable and manageable for their sessions. The flip side was the artificer was also pushed closer to madness. As she was not of the telekinetic ilk, her mind breaking was something altogether a different thing.
Audrey attempted a soft touch, trying to illicit reasonable replies to seeming innocuous questions. Unfortunately, Haley's counterintelligence and SEER training coupled with her innate gift, made her responses circuitous at best. Though Audrey felt she wasn't getting anywhere, the protracted interview was just the thing to push Haley deeper into her madness.
It culminated with Magnus, who'd been observing from outside the room, began to choke Haley with his telekinetic powers. Still, Haley was able to resist straight answers, angering Audrey. Despite her initial intents, Audrey's soft touch became harsh as she took over the choking of the prisoner, then dropped Haley back into her seat.
Frustrated she wasn't getting anywhere, she left the room and had Magnus take over.
Worn out, tired, and inching closer to complete insanity, Haley told the Artificer in Red about her Lord Firth and a unicorn of pure white. Though it sounded of, and very nearly was, the rantings of a mad woman, Magnus was able to tease out relevant details that might help them on their search for Libra.
For their efforts, each of the trio was rewarded:
Audrey was left questioning her devotion to a cause that was making her darker.
Magnus left with an honorable enemy's respect for another so devoted to a cause that was not his.
Haley escaped through death.
Everyone has a breaking point. A keystone that, once removed, causes the entire structure of one's life to crumble into ruin. Not death, just misery that leaves one nearly unrecognizable.
For Duncan, it was the loss of Amelia.
The Hunter took bounty after bounty, a sort of monotony that was more about muscle memory than anything that might prove engaging. It was, to quote Thoreau, "a life of quiet desperation." Lonely, tragic, the dirge of a man that knew that all he had left was death.
Death, a bottle, and a bartender that missed his Aussie paramour almost as much as he did.
Duncan was often at the In Between, nursing his loneliness with bourbon and the conversations with Kat. Several times, the Hunter never made it home and would spend the night in a makeshift room at the tavern. Kat provided him the booze and board, and Duncan kept it civil and always paid his debt. It was not a healthy friendship, but it helped each survive.
Then Amelia came back.
A ghost, a figment of his drunken mind. His longing for her conjured up visions of the woman he knew now, that he loved. A mirage, but a welcome one.
He'd found the secret to bringing her back, at least for a little while. It didn't matter if she was real or not. It didn't matter that the elixir he was using to have her come visit him was killing him.
He had to be with her.
It was better than being alone.
Unconvinced that all of her delusional ramblings were diversions from the truth Magnus asks Audrey to look further into a book called Watership Down. A reference Hayley made to Lord Frith peaking his interest.
Audrey dives into the book researching its symbolism and metaphors. She immerses herself into the book. Along with Hayley’s final ramblings of a unicorn and dragon Audrey formulates a theory and finds herself on the cusp of a major discovery.
Mr. Darcy, aka, Mr. Gray met Inara, aka Emma, at the Dome for her morning sparring session with the establishment's owner, Maui. Emma's training with the Brawler had left her both in better, fighting shape, and a much more dangerous unarmed combatant. Especially since Maui insisted the empath was not allowed to rely on her gift.
After a brief goodbye to the Brawler, they walked through the town on their way to Emma's current place of employment, the Lotus House. While they strolled through the streets of the settlement, Mr. Gray informed The Vixen about a caravan that was set to arrive that day. He also told her about the suspected vandalism by CloudDancer.
The revelation about Ryo's activity had Emma questioning their caravan routine, but by the time they arrived to the Lotus House, they decided against changing their plans. While at Katie's establishment, they made a quick plan for dinner and discussed Emma possibly expanding her sparring partners to more than just Maui. She was physically ready to do so, but she did also decided against stepping closer to the darker aspects of her past.
Emma stayed at the Lotus, and Gray went off to prepare both for both the caravan and the evening meal.
A mutate by the name of Leia arrives to the White Noise where she receives some food, some drink, and some advice. Leia is hurt and exhausted, both mentally and physically. Those running the establishment, the PeaceMaker couple Bear and Doe, suggest Leia head to the Lotus House for some healing.
With a promise to return, Leia headed to the place she was directed. Once there, she rested in the House's waiting area while Katie kept on eye on her. The owner of the Lotus was a empath, but would be of little help to the newcomer in the state Leia was in. Before too long, the mutate is greeted by the other Intuitive working there.
Emma entered and in a matter of a few exchanges of words, realized Leia was actually Amelia. Of course, neither knew what had become of the other in the last year, so it was a pleasant, if somewhat, nebulous reunion of the two women. Leia learned that Travis and Darcy were both living in the settlement as well. The electromancer was not alone.
While she rested, at both Katie and Emma's insistence, Leia was seen to by the local surgeon, Bones, who was also instructed to bring a battery. During her travels, the elemental had been without her element. Bear had been right, the Lotus House was place to be healed.
Once she felt better, Leia made her way back to the White Noise.
Promise kept.
Gray stopped by Food 'n Stuff to retrieve the items required for dinner as requested by Emma, then he walked back to the home they shared- Pemberley. While he was there, he prepped the kitchen so that he could get straight to cooking when he returned, retrieved their go bags, and loaded up Sergeant for Emma's ride. All according to their Caravan Plan.
It consisted of three steps: get Emma out of the settlement, scan the newcomers for any indication they were after the emotional empath, signal Emma to let her know to continue to their rendezvous.
Gray went in town to observe the incoming caravan, while Emma headed back to the house to retrieve her horse and bug-out belongings. On her way to her lookout spot, Emma stopped by Fed-Exodus where she delivered a letter to Keenan that was to be given to Gray. The empath needed to let Gray know Leia was actually Amelia.
Gray received the letter, scanned the newcomers, and, having found no immediate danger, headed back to the house. Emma observed it all from her secret location, remained safe, but she found motorbike tracks near her spot. Another overwatch position burned.
On her way back to see Gray for dinner, Emma met another Empath by the name of Ylva. The two exchanged a few pleasantries and discussed some of the ThunderDome inhabitants. The Vixen said her goodbyes and departed for her house.
She met Gray back at Pemberley where the two discussed their day, enjoyed one another, and made a pancake dinner just as Emma had requested.
Leia, having struck a deal with Bear and Doe, was helping out behind the bar at the White Noise, when Gray and Emma arrived to see their friend from Seattle. Gray took his drink to go, but the Empath and the Elemental were able to trade some stories of their time since they were together last.
Emma described more of the settlement and the various and sundry items and activities one could enjoy or participate. The Intuitive also explained how they'd even come to stay in the ThunderDome as well as the general unease the people of the town had against her's and Gray's mutate.
Leia explained where'd she'd been the last year, and it was nowhere near as wholesome as Emma's. Reported to be dead to all that knew her remaining in Seattle; kidnapped and taken across the sea; tortured; escaped back to the PNW, only to feel lost again. The elemental resolved to return to her Hunter, go back and see the man she loved.
Leia and Emma planned the route back, the Empath even provided a map to help her friend find the way back to Seattle.
The following morning, Leia, armed with some provisions for the trip, a map, and her love, departed the ThunderDome to bring back her Duncan.
Leia and Duncan
Druid and Cedar
Margot and Mercury arrive to the ThunderDome following their loss to the Magistrate and his Anti-Mutate Forces (AMF). After scouting out the area and determining the settlement to be safe enough, the pair of mutates ride into town to try and get their hands on some breakfast. Fortunately, Margot's prior experience with the markets of the well-established outpost aids them in discovering the culinary side of the large village. Soon they were eating a rather lovely parcel of food and planning their next move.
It was then that an old "friend" of the Voodoo Doll showed up and began demanding restitution for a bike he claimed to have had stolen by the lovely physical empath. Hoffa, the main that claimed to have been robbed by Margot, and his three friends decide they are going to get the payment back in blood and decide to attack the pair.
Unfortunately for Hoff and crew, Margot had other plans. Including, but not limited to, a swift quick in an Artificer's groin that she immediately slung to Hoffa. Soon Voodoo was on the aeromancer and even as he attempted to choke her by robbing her air, she was able to reflect the sensation and cause the mutate to collapse. She followed up with a well-aimed boot to the man's head.
Mercury, for his part, used his metal powers to sling himself across the miniature battlefield on nothing but the metal of his bands. Which meant he sped over to the third member of Hoffa's gang at 100 miles per hour. With a simple shake of his head, Grayson sent the very large, very wise, Brawler running.
In a matter of moments, Margot and Mercury had the situation well, and truly, in order when it all went sideways.
Wyatt showed up, armed to the teeth and in no mood to argue in the morning.
The Marshall escorted both of them out of the village streets and to their new, temporary accommodations at the Grand Slammer.
The pair of them were able to get their breakfast, but it cost them a stretch at the "clink."