The fact that they had known that he had not only arrived in Galmanoc but would be staying here for a prolonged amount of time was worrying. It had been a long time since he had last ran into a member of the monastery so for them to turn up out of the blue like this was alarming. He was in need of answers and so had once again ventured out on his own to find them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only activity up on the roofs were from cats, children and the occasional Official City Guardsman, all of which regarded him with apathy, awe and mild confusion as to the trespassing laws in that specific order1<\/a><\/sup> That\u2019s not true in all cases, there was at least one imaginative child who had been completely indifferent to Gratin floating by and at least one cat that had purred and meowed in its own attempt to inquire as to exactly where the law stood on people standing above one\u2019s building without actually touching it, and whether a fine of fresh tuna would make for adequate compensation. In the latter case, it had found its legal quandaries satisfied by a tickle under the chin from Gratin. That\u2019s not true in all cases, there was at least one imaginative child who had been completely indifferent to Gratin floating by and at least one cat that had purred and meowed in its own attempt to inquire as to exactly where the law stood on people standing above one\u2019s building without actually touching it, and whether a fine of fresh tuna would make for adequate compensation. In the latter case, it had found its legal quandaries satisfied by a tickle under the chin from Gratin.. Gratin waved at a pair of giggling children running across the roofs as he flew by. In his excitement, one of the children lost his footing on the tiles and slipped, prompting Gratin to swoop in, grab the kid by the scruff of his clothes and deposit it back on a flatter spot of roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBe more careful,\u201d he warned, patting the kid on the head,\u201d I probably won\u2019t be here to fly in and save you next time.\u201d The pair thanked him and ran off away back over the roofs towards a balcony, presumably home. Gratin smiled and continued his relaxed float over the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He promptly arrived at his destination and took up position behind a large air duct, peering out from behind and down into the square below. He waited there for a few minutes and watched the people below milling around, a great flowing waterway made of people. A peopleway, if you will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gratin was lurking on a roof overlooking Galmanoc\u2019s mage quarter once more. He had kept coming back whenever he had a moment alone to try and spy the men in the bomber jackets again, their appearances fleeting. They were looking for any signs of him and his friends, he was sure, as he occasionally spied them patrolling areas he and his friends would be likely to frequent such as the market and various gun shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There were also, a number of acolytes staying in the Tserulian hostel next to the Elementist temple. They could be seen around the markets or heading to the lunchtime mass for prayer. As time progressed and the Bomberjacket Men sightings became more elusive, Gratin had slowly lost interest in the Bomberjacket Men and had instead turned his attention onto the student mages. He stood by as they loitered about, trying to eavesdrop on their conversations in a bid to learn if they had discovered the location of his friends or to gauge how much danger their little group was in. There was no mention of Abaddon, or if any of the other Finders had been sent after him. Most of the gossip the acolytes talked of focused on the search for a scientist a different pair of Finders were engaged in. There was a betting pool on how long the scientist would stay on the run for before the Finders caught up with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n ***<\/p>\n\n\n\n It had taken just over an hour, but between them the market stall mechanic and Doug had managed to jolt the mangled arm back to life. Some work involving a spare and completely incompatible bionic arm, a hacksaw, some beers, a blowtorch, a heavy mallet, a screwdriver, a heavier mallet, another different broken robot arm and finally a sledgehammer had taken place, and the arm now sat amongst the debris of DIY mechanics. Some onlookers had gathered to watch them work, mostly out of boredom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful,\u201d said Doug, pretending to wipe away a tear. The mechanic in the deerstalker just shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019ll do ya, but I\u2019d keep a look out for a replacement. I reckon the bodge job\u2019ll keep it going for another few months yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA glowing endorsement of a guarantee,\u201d replied Doug. \u201cWhat\u2019s the damage?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConsiderin\u2019 you did half the work, I\u2019ll just charge you for the parts mate. Make it 45Krz and leave me the bits left over and we\u2019ll call it quits,\u201d said the mechanic, wiping the oil off of his hands with a damp cloth and dabbing pointlessly at some of the black patches on his jacket. Doug made a great show of one-handedly fishing the money out of his wallet (which he noted was getting emptier by the day) and slapped the notes into the man\u2019s palm in a handshake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMuch appreciated, squire,\u201d said Doug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAny time, thanks for the business. You\u2019d better try it on for size, make sure it\u2019s working \u2018fore you toddle off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doug enthusiastically unwrapped his stump and leaned in towards the arm laying on the stall, the remains of his limb poised over the shoulder piece of the arm and the connection rods concealed within. Carefully, he slid the rods into the corresponding holes embedded within the flesh of his truncated appendage. He grinned as there were several audible mechanical snaps and crackles as the arm made its connections with his body. He could feel the arm now, insofar as he could register the sensation of a new set of fingers. It was like a phantom limb manifesting itself even stronger. He gave the fingers a try, and found them all clacking responsively as he waggled them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hefting it up off of the table, he gave the arm a few warm-up rotations. Up, down, left, right, all working fine. The forearm made a bit of a whine as it span 360 degrees around, but then it had never been perfect when he first acquired it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLooking good,\u201d said the mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019ll do. Couldn\u2019t let it go, I\u2019m a bit attached to it,\u201d punned Doug with a cheerful laugh. \u201cCheers!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n He strolled off, content with his appendage. They\u2019d even welded on some extra armour plating and replaced his three digit hand with a five digit hand. It just felt more natural and he didn\u2019t mind the fact that the arm now looked like Frankenstein\u2019s weekend project; it had a lot more character now. More surprises had been added too. Love to see that Fucked-Up-Faced-Arsehole handle this baby now,<\/em> Doug thought to himself, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food, an arm and a shortage of cash, he was feeling more like himself by the minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It dawned on Doug that he\u2019d been so busy with his arm that he\u2019d forgotten all about Blaise, who hadn\u2019t shown her face for the entire hour. He couldn\u2019t see her distinctive red hair or broad hat anywhere in the crowds, so he figured he\u2019d just wander around a few nearby streets until either he found her or he found something else to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It transpired that something else found him before he found Blaise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sharp tap on his shoulder caused him to glimpse behind him, into the impish face of Harper. She grinned at him, showing teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI thought I saw you back there! Fancy that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u204e \u204e \u204e<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Monkey\u2019s Jewel was a lesser known establishment tucked away down a side street. It was a ramshackle place, any paint left on the woodwork was cracked and peeling, the windows were caked in fine dust kicked up from the street and letters were missing from the sign above the door, so the name actually read \u201cMokey\u2019s Jeel\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blaise stared at it for a good ten minutes from the shade of a shop front down the street, wringing her hands as she observed the patrons coming and going. Her mind was cast back to a couple of weeks ago, to when they had first arrived in Galmanoc…<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is our plan now?\u201d the question came from Gratin as he and Blaise carried the unconscious Doug through the busy streets of Galmanoc. The two gangsters were long gone, Benny and Burt having left to call their friends back home and find transport to the City of Light just as they had planned to do.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need somewhere to lay low and Doug needs medical attention. We can\u2019t go to a hospital though \u2013 we\u2019re not exactly friendly with the law \u2013 and most places with rooms to rent are probably going to ask awkward questions…\u201d she trailed off, a frown set into her features as she tried to think of ways to fix their problems. Gratin lowered his head solemnly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are worried about pursuers?\u201d he hazard, referencing Abaddon and his acolytes. It was clear he felt somewhat guilty for bringing danger to his friends, even if it were inadvertently.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know how your buddies back on the cruise ship found us. I don\u2019t want us risking another attack with Doug in his current state…\u201d she glanced down at the unconscious form of Doug, his head limply swinging from side to side as they walked, drool running down his chin. Blaise tried to shift his weight across her shoulders to better distribute it. Benny had been right; Doug was heavy and his bulky bionics weren\u2019t helping. Doug had never taken to civilian cybernetics, carbon fibre limbs not packing anywhere near as much of a punch as the ones he had cobbled together from old robot parts. His combat arm might have lacked dexterity but it certainly could dish out damage. Unfortunately, it was currently 50 pounds of dead metal and the only function it was capable of serving was to give Gratin better leverage to aid in transporting Doug. It was currently glowing green, Gratin using his powers to help ease the burden on his shoulders.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI believe dragging a clearly injured man through the streets may be drawing attention to us,\u201d Gratin pointed out. He was right of course, several groups occupying the busy streets having stopped to stare at them. Blaise was at a loss as to what to do though. It had been a long time since she had last stepped foot in Galmanoc and she wasn\u2019t too sure where the best place to stay would be other than what was known as the \u201cOld Quarter\u201d. The Old Quarter covered most of the highest section of the outcrop of rock the city was built on, which covered a good five miles of land. Simply saying \u201coh, we\u2019ll stick to the Old Quarter\u201d wasn\u2019t particularly helpful.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n She didn\u2019t get much further with narrowing it down as a voice sent her train of thought straight off the tracks.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, well, well! If it ain\u2019t Katie O\u2019Donnell as ah live and breathe!\u201d a thick Texan drawl announced. Blaise\u2019s usually somewhat ruddy complexion drained of all colour as the stranger spoke, Gratin becoming aware of his friend\u2019s sudden change of mood.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A well manicured hand clasped itself onto Blaise\u2019s arm, Blaise\u2019s eye line following the arm it was attached to up to a pretty face caked in make-up and surrounded by blonde curls. Recognition dawned, Blaise swallowing hard.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA-Annie? What are you-? Why are you here?!\u201d the red head came to an abrupt halt forcing Gratin to follow suit. He stared between the two women, confused. Annie beamed at Blaise with a 100watt smile, clearly not put off by Blaise\u2019s demeanour which was projecting an air of panic. Instead, Annie\u2019s other arm snaked itself around Blaise\u2019s waist to give her an awkward side hug, her head coming to rest next to the red head\u2019s.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSame reason as you ah believe! Ah thought ah spied you at that meeting back in the City! Ah was so hoping me and the boys would run inta you!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTh-the boys?\u201d Blaise stammered before spotting said boys hanging back a little ways behind the blonde woman. There were three of them; a big man covered in scars and wearing a tattered lab coat; a lanky man clad in black and shades of very dark grey \u2013 an item of which included a black fishing vest \u2013 and was carrying a large case; and finally a skinny man wearing a snide expression with a black cigarette hanging from his mouth. The last man sidled up to Annie and embraced her from behind, casting his eyes over the trio of mercenaries in front of them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYouse seem to be in a spot of bother. Need a hand?\u201d He asked. His voice had a greasy feel to it that made Blaise\u2019s skin crawl. It was the kind of voice you would expect a used car salesman to employ when trying to sell a battered old car up on blocks for the price of a brand new Ferrari.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n She recognised the other members of Annie\u2019s group. The big bald man was Tupper; a mad bomber and general explosive fanatic that had the temperament of a hyperactive ten-year-old. The lanky man was Parkinson; sniper by trade who generally looked like he\u2019d be more comfortable if he could watch you through his weapon of choice\u2019s scope several miles away. The thin bloke was new and Blaise eyed him suspiciously, something Annie noticed quickly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis here is mah fianc\u00e9. He joined our squad fairly recently,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey call me \u201cthe Gentleman\u201d,\u201d he offered a hand to shake, Blaise ignoring it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat happened to Jamerson?\u201d she asked.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSadly he\u2019s no longer with us,\u201d Annie replied.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBad case of food poisoning,\u201d added the Gentleman.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShame, I liked Jamerson,\u201d Blaise stated bluntly, eyes narrowed. If she had hoped to be intimidating, it failed as the Gentleman merely laughed at her.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou were right, she is stand-offish!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know the half of it, Sugar. For Katie, this is down-right pleasant!\u201d a grunt from Gratin\u2019s direction indicated he was becoming uncomfortable with the current situation. He could sense his compatriot\u2019s mood, his empathic senses having them manifest to him like a dark storm cloud beginning to engulf his friend. It was more than a little worrying.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWho are these people and why are they referring to you as that?\u201d he asked.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSorry Gratin, this is Annie. She\u2019s an old… acquaintance.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust an acquaintance? Ah\u2019m hurt!\u201d the Southern Belle feigned being offended, finally removing a hand from Blaise\u2019s person to clutch at her chest. She couldn\u2019t hold the expression though, laughing at Blaise\u2019s increasingly sour mood.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMake that an old friend who\u2019d quite like a word. Private-like,\u201d The Gentleman interjected, smiling a well-oiled smile. Blaise glanced at the other two boys, Parkinson having moved his fishing vest aside just enough to show the pistol holstered within. Blaise\u2019s expression darkened further.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo I have a choice?\u201d asked the red head. Annie continued to laugh.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2019Course ya gotta choice! We just want a friendly chin-wag is all! What\u2019s the matter, don\u2019t ya trust ya old pals no more?\u201d Blaise sighed heavily in defeat and turned to address Gratin.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll try not to be long. Can you watch Doug?\u201d The mage surveyed his friend, taking in the bad mood that was engulfing her psyche and merely nodded. Blaise stepped away from her friends and found herself being steered into a nearby alley by the Southern Belle and her mates.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once around the corner, Parkinson climbed a nearby fire escape so he could act as a lookout and Tupper stayed at the mouth of the alley to prevent anyone from wandering down it. Blaise was now alone with Annie and \u201cThe Gentleman\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat do you want, Annie?\u201d Blaise was in no mood to beat about the bush and her posture reflected that, her arms folded across her chest and a glare was present on her face. Annie raised her hands defensively.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHold up there, Kate, ah\u2019m just being friendly! Ah just wanted to check up with you! Nobody\u2019s seen hide nor hair of you since ya disappeared three years ago!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou could have checked up with me in front of Gratin,\u201d Blaise pointed out.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe, but it doesn\u2019t take a detective to work out your little pals ain\u2019t aware of your past,\u201d The Gentleman was the one to respond, casually taking a drag from his cigarette as he took to leaning against a skip. \u201cI\u2019ve read up on you, Katie, and I know full well you shouldn\u2019t be within spitting distance of this place, let alone doing a job for Salmanic of all people. I\u2019m guessing Dougie-boy dragged your ass out here,\u201d Blaise raised a brow suspiciously.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat do you know about Doug?\u201dshe asked, the Gentleman merely shrugging.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLike I said, I read up on you. Your pal too. That bitch Lucretia read the most interesting bits of his profile out at the meet, there weren\u2019t much more to learn outside of it. Didn\u2019t know about the robed guy though, he a mage?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s it to you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat kinda depends really on how helpful you\u2019re gonna be to us. I notice Dougie\u2019s feeling a bit under the weather, there much of a story there?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot one I\u2019m going to tell you. Why are you here? New Dawn 2<\/a><\/sup>doesn\u2019t normally send its operatives out to do its enemies dirty work for them…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re here to make friends and kick ass!\u201d announced Annie proudly, \u201cOr rather, let the bad guys think we\u2019re friendly sorts, then see what kind of damage we can do from the inside,\u201d she winked. This didn\u2019t sit well with Blaise.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReally? And they sent your squad in for this infiltration job? You guys?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean? Ah\u2019ll have you know we\u2019re just as talented as your old squad! We might not\u2019ve earned as much applause over the years as your lot but we have just as many successes!\u201d argued the Southern Belle.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t saying you lot aren\u2019t good at what you do, you\u2019re just suited to a different kind of work. My old squad was tailored to sneaky, backhanded infiltration work. You guys were always a lot…louder. I mean, just look at the Peterson job!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat about the Peterson job? We got it done! We escorted the informant to the safe house!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou turned him into a quadriplegic!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell if he couldn\u2019t use his hands responsibly then he didn\u2019t deserve to have them, now did he?\u201d Blaise rubbed her face in annoyance.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnnie…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2019Sides, what business is it of yours who gets which job? You left! You ran out on all your friends! They were like family to you! Al was devastated!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t you bring Alex into this, he knew why I left. They all did. I gave them the chance to come with me and they threw it back in my face.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVince threw it back in your face, Al would\u2019ve followed you to the end of the gods damn universe! You were the little sister he never had!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen why didn\u2019t he?\u201d Blaise stated coldly. Annie sighed and shook her head, turning back to her fianc\u00e9 and settling down next to him on his leaning spot.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s a conversation to have with him, ah\u2019m just the disgruntled ex that had to pick up the pieces,\u201d she stated sourly. The Gentleman glanced between the two women and cleared his throat.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know, it\u2019s kinda interesting that you\u2019re all up in arms over our deployment when the Commander that sent us out here was your other ex-bestie…\u201d this caught Blaise\u2019s attention.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat? Miho\u2019s your boss now? Miho Tanaka? Our hacker Miho who preferred partying to doing anything even remotely considered responsible? That Miho?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, curious ain\u2019t it? The woman who used to put the rebel in rebellion got so inspired by her best friend runnin\u2019 off that she went and buckled down, becoming the commander of the biggest and arguably most important cell in the whole organisation. I hear Vinnie was pissed, he only managed to get put in charge of some back-water dump down South somewhere. Whatever you found three years ago musta really been something to shake everything up so much. Care to share?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…I\u2019m not about to put myself on New Dawn\u2019s radar by spilling all their secrets. Especially as I\u2019m not sure if you\u2019re loyal to the cause or the ruling Council…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs there a difference?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, a big one,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell ain\u2019t that mysterious. Guess it\u2019s like you said, you lot were tailor made to be all secretive and back-handed,\u201d The Gentleman laughed, causing Blaise to glare at him. He ignored her.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnyway, as nice as it\u2019s been shooting the breeze with you, I think we better get to talking shop. I see McCracken\u2019s in a bad way, you got a way of helping him? Or even a place to set up as a base of operations…?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…We\u2019ve literally just arrived. We haven\u2019t had a chance to scope out the lay of the land yet…\u201d The Gentleman nodded and scratched his chin as he contemplated this.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe can get you in contact with our liaison. See if he can\u2019t get you hooked up with what you\u2019re in need of,\u201d he offered.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the catch? I\u2019m not rejoining New Dawn-\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t be getting all hasty with the speeches, doll. I know you got that grudge going on but ya gotta think about it, right? Doug\u2019s got a rap sheet about as long as my arm and you? You used to be a damn terrorist! Respectable people ain\u2019t gonna touch you with a barge pole! Even with your new identity \u2013 Blaise was it? It won\u2019t take alotta diggin\u2019 to find out the truth about you, lady, and it ain\u2019t rosy, capiche?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo what do you want for this generosity?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, you don\u2019t have ta be so suspicious all the time! We\u2019re just trying to help!\u201d He raised his hands defensively.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDougie probably won\u2019t get the help he needs without us, sugah. Our liaison- a guy by the name of Manford \u2013 is pretty darn knowledgable about the area and he can get just about anything we ask for. He\u2019s got contacts all over the city!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll we ask for is that you scratch our back in return. You come across any juicy info on the people we\u2019re all here to kill, you share it with us,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou get a tip off on where they might appear, you invite us along,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf we need a bit of extra man power, you step up to the plate,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe ain\u2019t asking you to sign back up, just that you give aid for aid,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m sure Dougie-boy\u2019ll appreciate knowing you did your best ta look after his dumb ass,\u201d the couple flashed her a smile like they were sharing a joke.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2019Course telling him who we are is off the table. He ain\u2019t a member and lets face it, the PSF and New Dawn ain\u2019t always seen eye ta eye. Heck, you yourself have helped to pinch valuable intel right outta the PSF\u2019s hands and you\u2019ve hurt plenty a people doin\u2019 it to boot! Who knows how he\u2019s gonna react when he finds out who you really are!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThough sayin\u2019 that, he is a pissed off veteran who\u2019s no-doubt been shafted by the powers that be just like all the others so maybe he\u2019ll be sympathetic and wanna join up?\u201d interjected Annie as she put her arms around her partner. The Gentleman responded by embracing her and chuckling.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe! But I know those PSF fly-boys are all one big happy family. It don\u2019t matter if he quit, those idiots all stick together no matter what. \u2019S all one big fraternity of brothers. I wouldn\u2019t tell Doug a thing if I was in your shoes, lady,\u201d he laughed again.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut take our offer seriously all the same, Sugar. Doug\u2019s good health might just depend on it!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…I\u2019ll think about it,\u201d Blaise reluctantly said. This seemed to appease them, the couple stepping away from their leaning spot.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou do that. We\u2019ll be in touch ta hear what you decided. Nice meeting ya, <\/em>Katie<\/strong>,\u201d He put extra emphasis on her real name, just to drive home the point that he knew everything about her and that there wasn\u2019t any hiding from him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And with that, they left arm in arm and disappeared into the busy street beyond, taking Parkinson and Tupper with them. Blaise watched them go, fists clenched at her sides as she replayed the whole meeting again in her head, eventually uttering a single word to sum up the entire encounter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u204e \u204e \u204e<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blaise didn\u2019t like the idea of getting involved with New Dawn again, especially with \u201cThe Gentleman\u201d calling the shots. Annie she could predict but the Gentleman was something else. As for New Dawn, they were rarely satisfied and always looking to push their luck. Thinking that she could just leave was optimistic of her. If she didn\u2019t play this carefully, everything she had worked so hard to build for herself could come crashing down around her, taking her friends with it…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, she took a deep breath and made her way across the road, taking up a position in front of one of the filthy windows. Parkinson was already perched there against them, still clad in black and grey. He glanced both ways down the street before speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy does the mockingbird sing to the east?\u201d he asked in a hushed, low tone. Blaise rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t be a pillock, Parkinson. You know who I am,\u201d she scolded him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s protocol. Don\u2019t get funny, just answer the damn question,\u201d he snapped back. Blaise scanned their surroundings, checking the coast was clear although Parkinson suspected she was doing this less to triple check that they were safe and more to make sure no one was around to take the piss out of her for reciting something so inane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026so the raven can seek its redemption. Are we doing this or not?\u201d she asked, foot tapping impatiently. Parkinson nodded, satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome on, the others are waiting inside,\u201d he said, leading the way down the back alley which led to the rear of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know it\u2019s been three years, I\u2019m surprised the passphrase hasn\u2019t been updated,\u201d Blaise remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think the council has had more important things to worry about than what nonsense they can get us to spout at each other,\u201d replied Parkinson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight. That new world order won\u2019t create itself. How\u2019s that going by the way?\u201d Blaise asked, a hint of sarcasm to her voice. Parkinson ignored her, entering the building via the back door. The landlady was waiting for them inside. She wordlessly kicked aside a rug to reveal a trapdoor in the centre of the building\u2019s kitchen, which she then opened for them. Parkinson nodded to her in thanks and led Blaise downstairs, the landlady closing the door behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The basement was dingy. A single bulb lit the centre of the room, the light too weak to penetrate the edges. The basement was commonly used to host various gambling nights, a poker table taking up the majority of the space under the weak bulb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The table was currently covered in various maps of the desert, a blonde woman and a slim man wearing a fedora were pouring over them. The blonde had a marker in hand and was marking off some coordinates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slim man was supping at a flask as he suggested further coordinates to consider marking. Behind them, rocking on his chair, sat a bald and heavily scarred man in a torn lab coat. It was the bald man that noticed their entrance to the basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cParky\u2019s back!\u201d he chirped. The other two looked up, the blonde breaking out into a grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKate! Ah wasn\u2019t sure if you were actually gonna show up!\u201d she said. Her accent had a thick Texan3<\/a><\/sup> drawl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnnie. You know I don\u2019t mind you calling me that in private but you really should stick to \u2018Blaise\u2019,\u201d Blaise corrected as she approached the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight, wouldn\u2019t wanna blow your cover,\u201d Annie said with a cheerful amount of cynicism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYours as well. We wouldn\u2019t want Salmanic questioning why you were able to identify the infamous<\/em> Katherine O\u2019Donnell, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPfft, you ain\u2019t that infamous,\u201d the bald man pointed out, smirking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe not, but then you lot were able to recognise me,\u201d Blaise shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou ain\u2019t even famous<\/em>, let alone in<\/em>famous,\u201d said the bald man, distractedly. The others ignored him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, but we only recognised you because Annie rolled with Alex Garcia for a while. It really doesn\u2019t count,\u201d Parkinson added. He pulled a chair up to the table and sat down, Blaise following suit. Annie watched Blaise carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh managed to check in with our command back in the City. Tanaka was pretty interested in the thought of you runnin\u2019 around out here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Oh,\u201d was all Blaise could say, withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She took to staring at the map in front of her, and guessed that the different marks were various sites the terrorists had attacked within the Salmanic pipe network. There were more marks in a second colour which she assumed were where Annie was expecting further attacks to take place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Annie and the slim man glanced uneasily at each other, the slim man cocking an unimpressed eyebrow as he chewed on a toothpick. The bald man, however, was frowning now and was clearly off in a world of his own, staring off a thousand miles into some event horizon only he could see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI mean, I think I\u2019m<\/em> infamous. Do you have to be \u2018in\u2019 famous to be famous? How far in do you have to be? What\u2019s the yardstick for this?\u201d he said aloud, directed at nobody in particular except for himself as he was the only one listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think Tanaka misses you,\u201d said Annie, before the bald man could talk again. \u201cNot that she\u2019d admit it\u2026she wanted to know how you were. I bet she\u2019d pass on a message to Al if you wanted-,\u201d Annie started, only to be interrupted by the bald man much to Blaise\u2019s relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMad bombers are infamous<\/em>, right? Because that sounds negative and I\u2019d rather be a famous mad bomber if it shows me in a positive li-\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGive it a rest, Tupper!\u201d growled Parkinson. The big bald man shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust make sure they get my good side,\u201d Tupper concluded, folding his arms in a decisive manner. Pausing to make sure he wasn\u2019t going to say anything else, Blaise swept her hand over the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHave there been any new developments with this?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Annie sighed and allowed the slim man to answer, through the corner of his mouth<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere was a fresh attack last night. The cyborg group have been all but wiped out,\u201d he stated. The slim man dressed neatly in what he probably considered to be \u2018practical business attire\u2019, somewhere between a suit and a combat jacket. His fedora only served to highlight his shaved head, a military-grade cut offset by the distinctly civilian hat. Although he was tidy, his clothes displayed the ruggedness of a man who gets his hands dirty, and yet he was the only one in the room who looked as if he didn\u2019t want to be there. He also walked with a cane, and Blaise took a guess that this was not due to any kind of limp or disability but rather because it concealed a blade. She couldn\u2019t quite get a handle on the man, but Annie kept shooting him the concerned glances that are reserved for significant others so that was grounds for trust alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAm I right in assuming we still don\u2019t have any kind of visual on the terrorists?\u201d Blaise asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPretty much, the cameras were knocked out again. It\u2019s like we\u2019re fightin\u2019 ghosts,\u201d Annie stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlthough there was one thing\u2026\u201d added Parkinson ominously. \u201cOne of the cyborgs survived.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow there\u2019s a first,\u201d Blaise conceded, perking up. So far anyone who had stumbled across the terrorists had been slaughtered. With the cyborgs gone, Blaise and her friends were the only ones left from that initial debriefing in the warehouse from so long ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s awake as well,\u201d Annie continued, \u201che\u2019s in the hospital in desperate need of getting stuff sown back on but he\u2019s able to talk, which is a miracle in itself. And that\u2019s not the best bit\u2026or worst, depending on how you look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is it? What did he see?\u201d Blaise shifted her gaze between Annie and Parkinson, her interest peaking. Annie was practically bouncing in her seat, enthusiastic over the thought of their mission actually showing signs of progressing. Parkinson was more sombre, leaning forward and rubbing his jawline as he considered the best way to describe what he had heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell we had already guessed that they had some kind of computer hacker in their group as every piece of technology from the lights to security cameras turn themselves off just before an attack. Then we figured they have to have at least one demolition expert to handle the explosives. The cyborg reckons there were at least six in the group total but only four were really doing any fighting while one of them was sorting out the explosives,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026What about the sixth?\u201d Blaise asked uneasily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cApparently she was stood at the back, singing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSinging. The cyborg didn\u2019t recognise the words but the terrorists were hell-bent on protecting her. And while she was singing, all her mates were invulnerable. They kept shrugging off whatever was thrown at them. The cyborg swears he broke one of their arms only for it to fix itself, as if by magic,\u201d Parkinson finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA white mage4<\/a><\/sup>. Shit,\u201d summarised Blaise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExciting stuff, huh?\u201d said Annie, grinning. Blaise did not share her naive enthusiasm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s one way to put it. What about the explosives being used? Has Tupper had any thoughts on that yet?\u201d Blaise asked, turning to the bald man. He was miles away again but promptly shook his head out of his daydreams and resumed the conversation back on planet Lusinia with all the other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo. Whatever they\u2019re using has got to be easy to transport considering the amount of travelling they\u2019re doing and it has to be potent considering how thick the pipes are. Heck, they\u2019re thicker than I am!\u201d Tupper patted his stomach, laughing, \u201cI\u2019d love to get my hands on the stuff and have a good play-\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c-Yeah, we\u2019re in a real<\/em> hurry to see that,\u201d Parkinson said sarcastically. The group laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnyway, all these developments brings us to why we wanted you to come down here today,\u201d Annie started. She hesitated and looked to her other half, already anticipating how Blaise was going to react to what they were about to request. The slim man sighed and got to his feet to address Blaise bluntly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRumour has it that you have been travelling with a guy who can fight these people on their own terms, if you catch my drift.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou want to borrow Gratin,\u201d Blaise pieced together instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, well mages are supposed to have a way of sensing when magic\u2019s been thrown about so we thought maybe he\u2019d be up for going to the latest attack site and seeing what he could sniff out,\u201d Annie explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s not a sensor; he doesn\u2019t light up and go \u2018ding\u2019 if magic\u2019s afoot,\u201d said Blaise haughtily, brimming with sarcasm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe know that-\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c-You also know that I don\u2019t want the boys involved with this. They\u2019re off limits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re not tryin\u2019 to recruit them or take them away from you. All we want is a favour,\u201d Annie insisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight, that\u2019s how it normally starts,\u201d replied Blaise, bitterly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKate. Gratin\u2019s the only chance we have of findin\u2019 these people right now. He doesn\u2019t need to know who we are or the crap you used to get up to for the cause; as far as he\u2019s concerned we\u2019ll just be a bunch of mercs you\u2019ve befriended,\u201d said Annie. Blaise sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI still haven\u2019t shaken the last merc I befriended,\u201d she pointed out. She smiled briefly, lost in thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell you do have a way of attracting strays,\u201d joked Annie. Blaise was staring at a point on the map again, a distant look in her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cProbably because I used to be a stray myself\u2026\u201d she muttered. Annie\u2019s smile faltered. She climbed to her feet and made her way around the table, embracing Blaise from behind in an act intended to comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know. We all were,\u201d said the Texan. Blaise glanced at the blonde and patted her arm in a reassuring manner. She stood up, out of her chair, leaving Annie to stare after her. Blaise rubbed her face and took a deep breath, making up her mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI suppose we better get your cover story straight then-\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shuffling and the sound of muffled shouting from upstairs stalled the discussion like a sack of dusty bricks to the face. The group exchanged cautious glances as they all strained their ears to work out what was happening on the floor above. There was a loud bang and more shouting. Each mercenary reached for a weapon – Blaise\u2019s hand gravitated to a pistol, Annie unclipped a steel fan from her belt, the slim man thumbed his cane so that an inch of blade was bared for the world to see, Parkinson grabbed a pistol of his own and Tupper selected a grenade from his bandolier. Everyone turned to glare at Tupper and his attempt to arm himself. Tupper muttered under his breath and put it back with an expression on his face similar to a guilty child standing over a broken vase after being told not to play ball in the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parkinson edged his way up the stairs. The trapdoor opened before he reached it, the landlady peering through the opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need help up here! Mad Dog\u2019s got Mrs Mendoza!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShit!\u201d the sniper exclaimed, peering back at the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Mad Dog\u2019 was a nickname given to one Raulo Delgado due to his habit of becoming incredibly hostile and\/or randy towards anything he didn\u2019t like, and Delgado didn\u2019t like many things. He and his gang were local boys that had been hired a week before the City of Light mercenaries had been and under similar circumstances; they too had been briefed in a disused warehouse along with twenty other mercenaries and ne\u2019er-do-wells. The initial Galmanoc group had been whittled down to just one gang in the meantime. Mad Dog\u2019s gang consisted of himself and five other men with a love of violence and less brain cells than the total sum of their members. They had also been the other reason the number of mercenaries had dropped so dramatically. Only hours into the job, Mad Dog had come to the conclusion that they were more likely to receive the reward if there were less competition and so his gang had taken to relieving other mercenaries the burden of the Salmanic job by hospitalising them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The group hurriedly made their way upstairs to the general hubbub and commotion of the restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dinner service had stalled, Mad Dog\u2019s crew having spread themselves around the room and had busied themselves by looking menacing with whatever weapons they had to hand. Most had knives of varying sizes, some were merely pounding a fist into the flat of their palm and at least one person was idly swinging a chain around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mad Dog was a big bastard in every sense of the word. He was unshaven and decked out in leathers, his gang styling themselves in a similar fashion. He stared out at the world with a permanent angry squint, which focused on Blaise the moment she emerged from the back room with the others. The gang leader raised a dirty finger at her, pointing accusingly, his other hand currently pinning the landlady to the wall by her throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou! Yer the chick with the magic man!\u201d he proclaimed, a mouthful of thick slobber parting from his mouth and dribbling down the sides of his chin in a bid to escape his face. Blaise groaned inwardly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI guess everyone\u2019s heard about the cyborgs,\u201d Tupper observed helpfully. Parkinson slapped one of Tupper\u2019s hands, which was absent-mindedly playing with the ring of one of his bandolier grenades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m assuming a \u2018fuck off, I\u2019m not in the mood\u2019 won\u2019t convince you to drop Mrs Mendoza and leave?\u201d Blaise hazarded, pinching the bridge of her nose in her annoyance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s real cute. Braaaaaave, even. Where is \u2018ee?\u201d demanded Mad Dog. He began advancing forward, giving Mrs Mendoza to one of the thugs whilst the others followed suit, doing their best to look as intimidating as possible. Mrs Mendoza struggled against the thug\u2019s grip and tried to yell for the mercs to kick his ass out of the pub, the thug putting a hand over her mouth to silence her as he pulled her away from the others, sensing the beginning of a brawl in the immediate future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blaise lowered her hand and attempted to stare Mad Dog down, which was difficult as he possessed the kind of crazy-eyes that refused to settle on one point for more than a second out of sheer stubbornness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s not here,\u201d Blaise stated coldly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh kin see that!\u201d shouted the gang leader. His large strides saw him cross the room in a matter of seconds. He loomed over Blaise, a wall of muscle. Blaise didn\u2019t so much as flinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOi! Back off,\u201d Annie stepped in front of Blaise, a steel fan out and spread so that light glinted off of the metal. The slim man joined her, brandishing his cane. Blaise quickly realised that all of the other mercenaries were surrounding her in a bid to help fend off Delgado\u2019s advances. Mad Dog peered down at the 5 mercenaries in frustration as he came to realise none of them were the least bit threatened by him. He let out a low growl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo you lot think yer tuff, eh? Fine. Mah boys will just have to force the information I want outta yoo!\u201d he proclaimed, waving his fat hands at the collection of miscreants behind him. The other patrons of the restaurant, realising that a good reliable pub fight was about to start, made their decisions whether to reach for a weapon or head for the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere we go again,\u201d Blaise muttered to herself as all hell broke loose around her.<\/p>\n\n\n Doug and Blaise don\u2019t even need to know, reasoned Gratin as he hovered over the rooftops, peering occasionally into the streets below to find his bearings. The untrained acolytes of the Galactic Finders had been fairly active in their hunt for Gratin in Galmanoc, but he\u2019d quickly noted that they…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":265,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[71,72,32,31,111,68,33,37,90,91,89,92,9,73],"class_list":["post-311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-mercenaries-tale","tag-allan-parkinson","tag-annie-stone","tag-blaise","tag-doug-mccracken","tag-flashback","tag-galmanoc","tag-gratin","tag-jessie-harper","tag-kate","tag-mokeys-jeel","tag-new-dawn","tag-thad-the-gentleman","tag-the-mercs","tag-tupper"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/311\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Doug's](\"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/MercsTale_New_Arm.png\" "\\"Doug's")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Strays\"](\"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/MercsTale_Strays.png\" "\\"Strays\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Doug's](\"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/MercsTale_New_Arm-150x150.png\")
<\/a>