{"id":323,"date":"2022-08-06T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-06T00:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/?p=323"},"modified":"2022-07-27T20:39:14","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T20:39:14","slug":"mercenaries-tale-2-09-making-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/mercenaries-tale-2-09-making-plans","title":{"rendered":"Mercenaries’ Tale – 2.09 Making Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blaise, Gratin and Parkinson walked alongside the pipe in silence. Gratin considered continuing his conversation with Blaise but decided against it. She always became closed off when people she barely knew were around and wouldn\u2019t be willing to divulge anything personal in their presence, even if Gratin attempted to communicate telepathically. She\u2019d be too afraid of blurting something revealing out by accident. It was better to wait until they were alone once more. That meant travelling in silence for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually they came to a spot where there was evidence of laser fire, the sand of the desert having been fused into glass by the heat of the blasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis must have been where the cyborgs had their fight,\u201d Blaise reasoned, kneeling down to examine some ammo casings left on the ground from the previous night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey were fighting close to the pipe here. I wonder why they didn\u2019t sabotage this section?\u201d Parkinson asked. Blaise considered this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey always destroy a section right next to a monitor station. This is in line with their M.O,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut why? That section doesn\u2019t look like it was any weaker than this one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe there\u2019s something special about the portions next to the stations? We\u2019ll have to ask a technician,\u201d Blaise suggested, standing up and facing the other sniper. He shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, maybe. So what are we doing? I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll see much more than what the Salmanic guys did…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust let Gratin do his thing,\u201d instructed Blaise. Gratin was crouched down, examining some sand between his fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMagic was cast here but it\u2019s faint. I think there were numerous spells of varying strength being cast,\u201d he shook his head, \u201cfor a more accurate reading, we should have arrived many hours ago. I fear that most of the residual magic has already dissipated…\u201d He trailed off and bowed his head apologetically at Blaise. She gave him a reassuring smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust see what you can pick up. Maybe some of the more powerful magic might still be around?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is some,\u201d he made his way around the scene, arms outstretched in front of him as if he was feeling his way around a darkened room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe the white mage was standing here. There is a high concentration of residual magic in this spot. There are smaller deposits scattered around. And there\u2019s something else…\u201d he wandered around for a few moments, walking around in circles and then backtracking on himself as he strained his senses to work out what it was he could feel. Eventually he came to a halt on a mound of upturned rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHere. This has been moved,\u201d he stated before kneeling down and groping the rocks and sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do you mean \u2018moved\u2019?\u201d Parkinson asked as he and Blaise slowly approached. There was a deep frown on Gratin\u2019s face, his eyes closed under the mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…There is a tunnel under us. It was created by magic and fairly recently at that. At a guess, I\u2019d say the early hours of this morning,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course…that explains how the Dark Worlders have been getting around unseen! They\u2019ve been tunnelling under the desert!\u201d Blaise exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan you sense which way they went?\u201d Parkinson asked. Gratin moved his head back and forth as he tried to determine just that, his jaw clenched in concentration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHmm, the magical residue is fainter in that direction,\u201d he pointed to his left, away from the monitor station, \u201cand stronger in that one,\u201d he pointed towards the monitor station. Blaise\u2019s brow creased in thought as she took that information in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s almost perfectly in line with the pipe. I think they\u2019re following it to the next station,\u201d She said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI agree. We better tell the others. I think we can work out where the next target will be now,\u201d stated Parkinson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It didn\u2019t take long to fill in the rest of the mercs. The general consensus amongst the group was that the next monitor station along the pipe would no doubt be the next target the Dark Worlders would likely strike at. Quickly asking the technician where the monitor station was located led them to boarding the monorail that connected all the stations together. The next stop would be the monitor station in question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The monitor station was situated inside a small canyon, cliffs lining either side of it. Blaise and Parkinson immediately scoped them out as being ideal sniping spots. They decided to go for a hike to find a good place to camp down, Doug following them due to having nothing better to do. He also felt like he should avoid the gentleman for a bit after their last encounter. He didn\u2019t mention this to Blaise though but he did note that she seemed somewhat relieved to have him joining her on the hike, the gunslinger relaxing for the first time since they had met back up with her pals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other mercs took the time to learn the lay of the land, checking for choke points they could hold an ambush at, which was tricky due to the fact that they had no idea where the Dark Worlders would be entering from other than \u201cthe floor\u201d. The ability to tunnel wasn\u2019t as easy to predict as they had hoped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parkinson clearly wasn\u2019t very pleased at Doug\u2019s decision to tag along. He made sure to stay several paces ahead of the others just so he wouldn\u2019t have to converse with Doug. This behaviour didn\u2019t go unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat, do I smell or something?\u201d Doug called after him as the sniper took off, mock offence in his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIgnore him, apparently he\u2019s just prejudiced against members of the PSF,\u201d muttered Blaise in hushed tones, causing Doug to frown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe does know I quit, right? I haven\u2019t worn the uniform in years,\u201d he pointed out, perplexed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, well some people are more focused on what was rather than what is, you know? Parkinson heard you were a soldier, so now as far as he\u2019s concerned you are a soldier. Facts won\u2019t change that,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHuh. Sounds stupid to me. But then he is the bloke wearing black in the middle of a desert…\u201d Blaise found herself stifling a giggle. She gave Doug a playful push.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShush, he\u2019ll hear you,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPfft, like I\u2019m scared of some scrawny bloke covered in sweat on account of the turtle-neck jumper he\u2019s sporting in one of the hottest regions on the planet. Sides, it\u2019s not like I won\u2019t be able to see him coming; he stands out like a sore thumb in those clothes,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you the one that brought a thick leather jacket to the middle of the desert?\u201d Blaise pointed out. Doug glimpsed down at the offending article of clothing that he was currently carrying over his mechanical shoulder like a cape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTouch\u00e9. But you gotta admit, I make this shit look good,\u201d he joked, striking a pose similar to what he thought a supermodel might make at the end of a catwalk; arms folded with his human hand cupped around his jaw and his lips pursed together into a pout. Blaise couldn\u2019t contain the laughter that time, attracting Parkinson\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d he called back at them, halting in his march to the top of the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing!\u201d both mercenaries projected an image of innocence, albeit a half-hearted attempt at one in Doug\u2019s case and Blaise\u2019s being diminished by the fact she was clearly trying to control a giggle fit. Parkinson held his gaze for a few more seconds before shaking his head and walking off. The other two waited for Blaise to calm down a bit before following suit, Doug feeling very satisfied by his ability to reduce his companion to uncontrollable laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They caught up with Parkinson at the top of the cliff, the Sniper in the process of examining the view via his rifle\u2019s scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019d say this is a good spot. There isn\u2019t much cover down there for the terrorists to hide behind. We can see everything from up here!\u201d he informed the pair. Blaise peered down at the view below. They were on the cliff opposite the monitor station, the back of the building pressing into the other cliff face. There really wasn\u2019t anywhere to hide down there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t look like there\u2019s anywhere for our ambushers to hide either except maybe inside the station,\u201d she pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…They could set up in there. Might be a bit awkward having them all charge out of those narrow doors though…\u201d reasoned Parkinson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t Annie suspect they had a hacker? If they can break into the computer system to turn off all the lights then how do we know they won\u2019t see everyone on the security cameras?\u201d Blaise asked, causing Parkinson to frown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShit, yeah. That might be a problem…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doug examined the verge of their cliff thoughtfully. It was a sheer drop, not offering much of a way down for those wishing to mount a charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat if we repelled down from here? Set up some ropes beforehand? That way they won\u2019t see us coming,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere are we going to get ropes from?\u201d Parkinson asked, clearly doubtful at Doug\u2019s ability to plan out a decent attack. Doug looked up thoughtfully, spotting one of the Salmanic employees emerging from the station to talk to Harper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou leave that to me,\u201d Doug winked at the Sniper and began the trek back down to the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once back down with the rest of the group, Doug joined Harper and the Salmanic employee whilst Blaise and Parkinson spoke to the others about Doug\u2019s plan. Blaise allowed Parkinson to do most of the talking as she watched Doug hold a hushed conversation with the other two, the Salmanic employee nodding and Doug fishing his wallet out of his jacket. He shook the employees hand, palming over some money which the employee than counted before giving a thumbs up and running off towards the monorail platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a couple of hours before the employee made another appearance, now laden with shopping bags and in the company of several other employees also carrying bags. The group of mercs had made camp on the hill that led up to the cliff top, out of view of the pipeline and monitor station. The Employee and his friends appeared hiking up the trail to find the group. Doug and Harper happily hurried down to greet them, taking the shopping and giving their thanks. Doug took some things out of one of the bags and passed them out amongst the employees, who took what was offered and left. The others watched the trade suspiciously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat was that all about?\u201d Parkinson piped up as the duo returned. Doug grinned and tossed some rope at the curious Sniper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTold you I was sorting out our needs,\u201d He winked. Parkinson inspected the rope, passing some to Thad for his approval. The gentleman nodded in contemplation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood work, McCracken, although I have to ask about the rest of the bags,\u201d he gestured to the rest of the delivery Doug and Harper were carrying. They showed off the contents of the bags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThought I\u2019d get dinner sorted. Can\u2019t go fighting terrorists on an empty stomach,\u201d he said as he began unpacking the contents of the bag. One contained a selection of vegetables and steak, the other bag holding cooking utensils and bowls, where as the third bag contained a case of beer. Thad and Annie exchanged a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, right, good plan. Much appreciated. Allan and I will just go and sort our ambush route out then, shall we?\u201d Thad stood up, took the necessary equipment and left with Parkinson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The others began to drift towards Doug out of curiosity, none of those unaccustomed to Doug having expected him to be any good at cooking. It was clear no one had really thought about feeding themselves while arranging the plans for the evening. They began eyeing up the ingredients hungrily as Doug set up a chopping board on a nearby rock and started busying himself with slicing up the steak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat are ya making there, sugah?\u201d asked Annie after a few minutes of watching the chef of the group preparing his ingredients and beginning to mix them together in one of the bowls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing too special, just a stir fry. Figure it\u2019s got all the good stuff in it a growing merc needs to get \u2019im, or her, through the night,\u201d he winked then turned to Gratin, \u201cHey Spell Head, you feel like doing the honors?\u201d he asked whilst indicating a space beside him. Gratin grunted, summoned a fire ball the size of a basket ball and casually tossed it into the space Doug had indicated. It landed softly, sitting neatly on the smooth surface of their rocky outcrop and continued to burn brightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTa very much!\u201d Doug thanked him, placing a wok on top of the strange green flame as though this was all perfectly natural. The moment the wok was hot enough, he chucked in the contents of the bowl and began to cook it. It wasn\u2019t long before a mouth-watering aroma began to waft over the group, the others all watching the pan like a group of hungry cats waiting to pounce. The only ones not watching were Blaise and Gratin, who had both made themselves comfortable on the edge of the group and were getting on with their preparations for that evenings work. Gratin meditated whilst Blaise began to assemble her rifle, giving each component a quick clean to make sure it was all in working order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It didn\u2019t take long for the beef to cook and for Doug to move on to sorting out the vegetables. He arranged a small saucepan on the fire, took out a bottle of water from a bag and poured it in. Once the water was boiling, he placed a basket on top with some broccoli and pak choi arranged inside, then set to work chopping up the rest of the vegetables. Harper couldn\u2019t help but make a comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know, I really didn\u2019t have you pegged as the \u2018home making\u2019 sort,\u201d Doug merely shrugged at the comment, not looking up from his work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m a man of many talents,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere\u2019d ya learn to do this? Ah can barely even boil an egg!\u201d Annie commented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy Mum owned a club back in the City. Used to sell good ol\u2019 fashioned home cooked meals there. Pub grub, mostly. I used to earn pocket money working in the kitchen as a kid. Could cook all sorts by the time I was 14,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSurprised you ain\u2019t still workin\u2019 there. Cookery is a dyin\u2019 art form these days,\u201d said Harper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEh, s\u2019more of a hobby. I find it relaxin\u2019 but I wouldn\u2019t want to do it for a living. Would ruin it,\u201d Doug explained with a shrug, \u201cbut I see what you\u2019re saying. Blaise can\u2019t cook for toffee either. As for Gratin, he has a habit of flamb\u00e9ing everything. Never trust him with a steak,\u201d Doug winked to show he was joking. Gratin piped up regardless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA well done steak is perfectly acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s blasphemy and you know it, mate! You ruin the texture!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gratin grunted, giving those watching the impression that if they could see his eyes, they\u2019d be rolling. It sparked a small trickle of laughter from the spectators. Doug removed the steaming veg from the fire and brought back the wok, getting it hot again and beginning to throw in the newly chopped up vegetables. Every few minutes he\u2019d add further ingredients, some chilli flakes here, some soy sauce there followed by a dash of orange juice. He gave the carton to Tupper, who had been inching towards the beer. Tupper took it grudgingly and drank straight from the container as he was used to being denied alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The food was soon ready. Annie helped Doug to dish it up and distribute it and the booze around the group. They sat around the fire, enjoying the warmth as the night air turned cold. Thad returned, informing the group that Parkinson had elected to stay up on the cliff to play lookout, the estimated time for the Dark Worlder\u2019s arrival approaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s everyone planning on doing once we\u2019re done with this?\u201d Harper asked as she finished off her plate, \u201cpersonally I think I\u2019ll have myself a nice holiday. Maybe head down to Casinopolis and have a good play on the tables,\u201d she grinned to herself leaning back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harper turned to Annie, the Texan comfortably nestled in the arms of Thad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about you, Stone? You and Thad got any plans to settle down once you\u2019ve got the cash prize?\u201d Harper asked. The couple glanced at one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActually me and the boys were gonna hang around a bit. Maybe see if there\u2019s any more jobs need doing. As we\u2019re all the last surviving mercenaries, ah\u2019m sure Salmanic\u2019ll be suitably impressed if we do take down the terrorists. Ah\u2019m sure he\u2019ll think of us if there\u2019s anythin\u2019 else botherin\u2019 him,\u201d the Texan reasoned. Harper nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you, Doug? I bet you\u2019ve got some interesting plans bouncing around in that head of yours!\u201d the scouse grinned. Doug shrugged, staring intently into the flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNah, my plans are about the same as Annie\u2019s. Gotta keep working and Salmanic seems to pay well,\u201d he said, attracting Blaise\u2019s gaze. She gave him a good hard stare, brow furrowed in disbelief, before unexpectedly getting up and marching off towards Parkinson much to everyone\u2019s surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s her problem now?\u201d Doug muttered to no one in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to ask her,\u201d Thad stated darkly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annie squeezed her other half\u2019s hand and moved to get up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to her-\u201d she started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ll go. It\u2019s me that\u2019s got her all worked up anyway,\u201d said Doug as he rose to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd seeing you is gonna fix that?\u201d Harper asked with a cheeky grin. Doug shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorth a shot. Be back in a minute,\u201d he marched off, leaving the others to resume their conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blaise marched up to Parkinson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m taking over watch,\u201d she stated bluntly. Parkinson turned to stare at her, surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou sure? I can go a few more hours yet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure. Go get yourself warm,\u201d she instructed. Parkinson decided not to argue. He slung his rifle onto his back and made his way back down the hill, giving Doug a curious glance as he passed. Doug made sure the sniper was out of earshot before finishing his approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou alright, Love?\u201d he cautiously hazarded. Blaise was facing away from him, staring down into the valley below with her rifle resting in her hands. They were in the dark up here, the only source of light being the monitor station below them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFine,\u201d she flatly stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome on, Red, I know you better than that,\u201d he insisted. Blaise sighed but refused to turn around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t get you sometimes, Doug. You\u2019re one for living in the moment. You don\u2019t care about money; I tell you I helped myself to your wallet and you don\u2019t bat an eyelid and yet here you are, making career plans,\u201d she glanced over her shoulder, \u201cwas this what you were planning from the beginning? Did you see this job as an opportunity to become Salmanic\u2019s number one choice for Mercenary work?\u201d her voice quavered as she spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes it matter? If Salmanic wants to throw money at people then why shouldn\u2019t I try and get in on that? It\u2019s good money,\u201d he told her. She laughed bitterly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight. Of course it is,\u201d her words made him frown at the back of her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t get it. Stone\u2019s got the same plan and I don\u2019t see you getting in a huff with her!\u201d he complained. Blaise turned to glare at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI already knew what she was after. She and the others discussed it with me. You, on the other hand, apparently have some great scheme in your head that you\u2019re keeping secret from me! This was supposed to be one job, Doug, one!\u201d her voice was beginning to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re being paranoid. Besides, you didn\u2019t have to come. I didn\u2019t drag you out here,\u201d Doug argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re a team, you arse. Of course I was going to come! Do you know how many times on the cruise ship alone that you would\u2019ve died if I hadn\u2019t been around to save your arse? I wasn\u2019t going to have your death on my conscience!\u201d her voice quavered again, Blaise struggling to keep it level. Doug grunted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not talking to you when you\u2019re like this, come see me when you\u2019ve calmed down,\u201d he told her, turning around and beginning to stomp off. Her next sentence stopped him in his tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat has this got to do with Jehoth IV, Doug?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doug froze. His body seized up at the mention of Jehoth IV as if she had punched him in the gut, his insides turning icy cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the great big source of misery you\u2019re trying to fix, right? Answer me!\u201d Blaise demanded. Doug shakily turned back to face her. It was too dark for her to properly see the look of abject anger radiating off of him but she could hear it in the low rumble of his voice. It was like thunder heralding an incoming storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fuck makes you think you can dredge that up?\u201d he seethed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou brought it up first when you forced me to prise your gun out of your hand,\u201d Blaise coldly retorted. Doug hadn\u2019t been expecting that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe hell are you talking about?\u201d he asked, staring her down. Blaise turned her head away, eyes closed. She took a deep breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt happened during that night on the cruise ship\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u204e \u204e \u204e<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The double doors that led onto the deck of the cruise ship burst open and out stepped two incredibly drunk mercenaries. They stumbled about, laughing heartily and clinging to each other in an attempt to remain upright.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn\u2019 that\u2019s\u2026heheh\u2026an\u2019 that\u2019s when Galvison whips his wallet out only it\u2019s sopping wet an\u2019 there\u2019s a fucking fish where his money should be!\u201d Doug was saying through his laughter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaha, and you were seriously wearing dresses while splashing about down there?\u201d spluttered Blaise through her own laughing fit. Her voice now contained a hint of an Irish twang, all of the drink having brought forward her original accent.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHahahah yeah. A bet\u2019s a bet!\u201d He grinned down at her, \u201cRight, your turn!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh no. Nonononono. No! I don\u2019t have any embarrassing stories!\u201d she insisted.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBull. C\u2019mon, Love. Ya gotta have one back from your days of\u2026doing whatever it was you used to do!\u201d he insisted. Blaise giggled and contemplated his request. She stepped away from him, brought a hand up to her chin and smirked cheekily at him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026I may have one about several pina coladas, the roof of our squad leader\u2019s car and a rather\u2026risqu\u00e9 dance,\u201d she told him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh?\u201d his interest peaking.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMmmhmm, but that\u2019s all you\u2019re getting,\u201d she told him. His face drooped.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAww, you\u2019re such a tease. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen you dance before,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHeh, well I don\u2019t dance for just anyone,\u201d pointed out the redhead.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, I\u2019ll show you my moves if you show me yours!\u201d he proclaimed, performing a little jig. Blaise found herself the victim of another giggle fit as her partner showed off his fancy footwork. She clasped a hand over her mouth to try and suppress it, Doug attempting an Irish jig only to wind up tripping over his own feet. He stumbled backwards, Blaise lurching forward to try and catch him only to find she wasn\u2019t able to prevent gravity from dragging them both downwards. They landed awkwardly on one of the sun loungers that lined the edge of the decking.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a pause as the two regarded their new position, Blaise now lying across Doug, before laughter began to hiss out of them like water from a broken tap. She slid off so that she was lying beside him, the pair wrapped in each other\u2019s arms. Eventually the laughter subsided, the duo taking to staring at the night sky. It was clear, not a cloud in sight. Stars littered the black backdrop of space and scattered amongst the celestial orbs were the fierce explosions of laser fire from rival starships.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWar\u2019s always harder to ignore at night\u2026\u201d Doug muttered, watching a collection of lights that was one ship exchanging fire with another, slightly larger ship.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlways used to watch from my window when I was little and couldn\u2019t sleep. Always wondered what was happening up there,\u201d Blaise muttered quietly. One of the ships vanished in a ball of flame. Doug peered down at Blaise and then back to the war.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou see all those different clusters of blueish lights whizzing about?\u201d he asked her, pointing out one such collection for her. Her gaze followed his finger.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose are the PSF ships. The greenish lights are the Dark Worlders. I could probably take a guess at what kinda ships are up there if you want,\u201d he told her.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReally? How?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom the way the lights are set up. Like that one,\u201d he pointed out a collection of moving blue lights laid out in a \u2018V\u2019 formation, \u201cthat\u2019s probably an M class Sky tank. They\u2019re pretty big an\u2019 bulky an\u2019 slow so they normally have a few pilot ships floatin\u2019 around to help it out\u2026\u201d he continued with the description, picking out a number of ships from both sides of the conflict and gushing over the various manoeuvres on display.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blaise felt her eyes growing heavy as he spoke, all of the alcohol in her system slowly getting the better of her. His body was warm and comfortable, Blaise nuzzling into it to protect against the cold night air.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"I'm<\/a>
Two drunk idiots, lying on a sun lounger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Doug paused mid lecture as he realised she was falling asleep next to him. He took in her contented expression, smiling softly to himself and beginning to gently stroke her arm. This caused her to stir.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMmm, Doug?\u201d she murmured sleepily.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, Red?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou ever miss it? The PSF?\u201d She asked. Doug frowned as he considered her question.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes,\u201d He muttered, his voice oddly quiet, \u201c\u2026miss my mates.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey sounded like nice guys. Are you still in contact with them?\u201d she wondered. Doug didn\u2019t answer, instead gently pushing away from her and sitting up, his back to her as he swung his legs over the side of the lounger, his face falling into his hand. Blaise blinked the drowsiness away, startled by his sudden movement. She forced herself to sit up, concern etched on her face.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoug?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFucking Jehoth IV!\u201d Doug suddenly yelled, making Blaise jump in alarm. He was on his feet now, pacing back and forth in front of the sunlounger.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was jus\u2019 supposed to be a fuckin\u2019 recon mission! Piece a Piss! Go in, Shee wha\u2019 tha\u2019 bash\u2019ard, Kraken, was up to an\u2019 report back! But he fuckin\u2019 knew! He knew Goddamn everthin\u2019!\u201d he was shouting, spit flying out of his mouth as he ranted. He couldn\u2019t keep still. His pacing became more and more frantic as his voice rose in volume. Blaise watched him, wide eyed and scared as to where this was going.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElvito was first to go. Gutted like a fish. Didn\u2019t stand a chance. Can still see Galvison\u2019s face. They talked about marryin\u2019 after the war. Were gonna have a fuck \u2018ton of kids an\u2019 a big ol\u2019 house. Barbecues in the summer. He was next to go. Slow an\u2019 painful for ol\u2019 Galvi,\u201d tears were beginning to stream down his face now, his skin turning red and blotchy, his nose beginning to run as he broke down.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI tried to help. Gonna kill \u2018em all. Got a chain on me arm. Shackled to a wall. Wiggin\u2019s being tortured. They wanted to see how long he\u2019d live without a heart. Had to stop \u2018em. Arm trapped. Not for long though\u2026\u201d He began scratching his stump as he paced. He was applying so much pressure to it that Blaise felt for sure he was going to draw blood.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToo late. Made Kraken choke on it. Everything red. Can\u2019t\u2026can\u2019t remember\u2026\u201d he muttered something inaudible under his breath as he collapsed to his knees.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLast one breathin\u2019. Always the last one breathin\u2019. Always a survivor. Why always me? If I had a purpose\u2026if I had so much left to do then why couldn\u2019t you fuckin\u2019 tell me what it was!\u201d he asked the heavens above him. There wasn\u2019t any answer. Blaise tentatively crawled across the lounger, staring at the back of his head in worry.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026Doug?\u201d he didn\u2019t respond to her, instead pawing at his jacket until he found his gun. He placed it in his lap and stared at it, tears still running down his face and splattering onto his lap.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m never gonna know why she came to me or why it was so damned important I got to live. Why did she come to me? I\u2019m an asshole; a violent thug. Galvison should be here, not me. I\u2019m not worth a damn,\u201d he finished. He took a deep breath and picked up the gun, placing the barrel on his temple and braced himself as he gently applied pressure to the trigger\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The laser blast hit the decking a meter away. Blaise had lunged at Doug, forcing the gun to point away from his head at the last second. Doug had been taken by surprise; he\u2019d almost forgotten she had been there and he certainly hadn\u2019t been expecting anyone to try and stop him. She clawed at his hand in an effort to take the gun off of him but he shoved her off. She didn\u2019t stay off for long, readjusting herself so she could spring forward, tackling him and knocking him off balance. She mounted him before he had a chance to climb to his feet and reached for his gun again. He couldn\u2019t push her off and keep the gun out of her reach, instead trying to stretch his hand as far away from her as possible but she won out in the end. He tried to grab it again but she jostled him back to the ground with one hand, keeping the gun well out of reach with the other. He buckled backwards in defeat, panting heavily.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026*pant* I *wheeze* had a dream like this once,\u201d he muttered as he stared up at her, his hand landing on her thigh. She slapped it away, glaring at him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShut up. What the hell\u2019s wrong with you?!\u201d She yelled at him. She was shaking, her voice cracking. He couldn\u2019t tell if she was angry or in shock.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI-\u201d he began only to be cut off.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, you know what? Don\u2019t. I\u2019ve heard those excuses before. Heck, I\u2019ve made a bunch of them. You weren\u2019t thinking straight. You\u2019ve seen some real shit in your time. You couldn\u2019t take it anymore. Well fuck you, McCracken, you\u2019re better than that!\u201d she berated him. Doug felt his jaw go slack in surprise as he struggled to find his voice.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d never forgive you if you ended it this way!\u201d she continued, glaring down at him, tears welling up in her own eyes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI-I\u2019m sorry, Angel-\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh don\u2019t start trying to butter me up with cute nick names. I\u2019m not your angel or your love. You can bleedin\u2019 well use my name for a change,\u201d She scolded him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026Blaise\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re so depressed, this ain\u2019t the way to fix it. You gotta go out there and fuckin\u2019 try to change the stuff you hate, not hurt yourself!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, why do you think I made us come all the way out here?\u201d Doug angrily interrupted her rant. She stared at him, stunned.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026What?\u201d he refused to elaborate. They were locked in a stalemate; all she could do was stare at him as he avoided her gaze.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2026I think you can get off me now,\u201d he eventually muttered. She sighed heavily.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFine, but you\u2019re not getting your gun back until the morning,\u201d she told him, climbing to her feet. She tucked the gun into her coat and offered him her hand. He grudgingly took it and she helped him up to his feet.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time for bed. We\u2019ll head back to my room. You can sleep on my floor,\u201d she told him. Doug frowned.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got my own room,\u201d he pointed out.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, and I don\u2019t want to find you hanging by your belt in there in the morning. Either you sleep on my floor or I sleep on yours,\u201d she fiercely rebutted. He didn\u2019t have a comeback so she took a deep breath to calm herself down and took his hand.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cC\u2019mon. We\u2019ll talk in the morning, let\u2019s just get some rest, ok?\u201d she said and tried to lead him to the stairs but he wouldn\u2019t budge.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoug?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy do you care?\u201d she froze as he asked his question.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2026what do you mean?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy do you care? You\u2019re always complaining at me or about me. You don\u2019t particularly like me-\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not true-\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she gave his hand a squeeze, \u201cYou\u2019re my friend, Doug, and friends don\u2019t let friends throw their life away. Now c\u2019mon. We\u2019re both drunken idiots that need their sleep, okay?\u201d she flashed him a sheepish smile and gave his arm a gentle tug. This time he moved, allowing her to take him to her room.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had a dream like this once,\u201d he repeated.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh hush.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pair barely spoke on the trip back to Blaise\u2019s room. The silence was only broken when Blaise spotted her door and decided to lay down some ground rules for their little sleep over. Doug didn\u2019t catch what they were having decided to succumb to his drunken stupor for the time being. As Blaise fumbled with the room\u2019s lock, Doug hazily peered down the corridor for something to focus his attention on.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He settled on a mirror further down the corridor. He could see himself staring back. Only it wasn\u2019t a very good mirror. The reflection\u2019s shirt was the wrong colour \u2013 a dark green \u2013 and was covered in grime. Plus it had two arms instead of one. The left arm was a bulky set of bionics in a design Doug didn\u2019t recognise. It wasn\u2019t his arm, whatever it was.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mirror Doug stared back with a bewildered expression, like it couldn\u2019t quite believe what it was seeing. This surprised Doug as he had never known reflections to be capable of expressing their own emotions before. But what was really surprising was when mirror Doug started muttering to itself, turned around to check something on his right and then wandered off down a connecting corridor. Doug glanced to his left to check there wasn\u2019t a corridor there for him to walk down. There was nothing but wall.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mirror hadn\u2019t been a mirror at all, but rather some odd bloke staring at him. Only Doug could have sworn the bloke looked like the spitting image of himself, from the scar right down to the scruffy leather jacket.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curious now, Doug made his way down the corridor to confront the copycat.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took a minute for Blaise to realise that Doug had vanished. She\u2019d been focusing on getting the electronic lock to accept her code, completely missing what Doug had been distracted by. Worried now, she decided to stash his gun in the room and then retrace her steps to see if he\u2019d gone back to the deck. She went on to spend what little remained of the night searching for him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course Blaise didn\u2019t mention that last part. In fact her description of the night in question consisted of only a couple of sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026You decided it would be a good idea to air your head out. Literally. I had to confiscate your gun to stop you,\u201d she told him. Doug absorbed this information, processing this revelation and how it explained Blaise\u2019s behaviour recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh,\u201d was all he managed to say on the matter. Blaise stared at him in bewilderment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it? \u2018Oh?\u2019\u201d she questioned. Doug shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do you want me to say? It\u2019s not like I can remember doing it,\u201d he told her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn explanation would be good! We were\u2026.I was\u2026arrgh!\u201d she stumbled over her words, struggling to vocalise just how much seeing him in that state had affected her. She rubbed her face, trying to reorganise her cluttered mind, her rifle swinging by its strap on her arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust tell me the truth; is there some greater purpose to you being here?\u201d she eventually asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs it really any of your business if there is?\u201d Doug asked. Blaise lowered her hands enough so that she could peer over them at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to think I\u2019d deserve to know if there was. You owe me that much,\u201d she stated. Doug scoffed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh I owe you now, do I? You can\u2019t even be bloody bothered to tell me what the deal is with you and Stone and the others, \u201cKate\u201d. I don\u2019t owe you anything,\u201d Doug glared at her. Blaise\u2019s brow creased, her temper flaring once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m trying to protect you,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need protecting!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou do! You need it from your gods\u2019 damned self!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are not my angel!\u201d he growled, finger pointed accusingly at her. He took a step towards her, not thinking about what he was about to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever it was, all intention disappeared as the bright lights of the monitor station below them disappeared, everything being plunged into blackness\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"I'm<\/a>

Blaise, Gratin and Parkinson walked alongside the pipe in silence. Gratin considered continuing his conversation with Blaise but decided against it. She always became closed off when people she barely knew were around and wouldn\u2019t be willing to divulge anything personal in their presence, even if Gratin attempted to communicate…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":324,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[71,72,32,31,68,33,37,89,22,23,92,94,9,73],"class_list":["post-323","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-galmanoc","tag-gratin","tag-jessie-harper","tag-new-dawn","tag-salmanic-incorporated","tag-salmanic-pipeline","tag-thad-the-gentleman","tag-the-cruise-ship","tag-the-mercs","tag-tupper"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=323"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/323\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}