by Drew Cordell
“I’ll keep them safe,” Violet assured him. “Either way we’ll all have our armor and weapons.”
Marwin nodded, content with the arrangement. “Have fun. Be safe, kids.” He walked outside to meet with Grez.
“Shall we?” Violet asked, an excited smile playing on the corners of her mouth. I could see the excitement in her eyes as well, and it was as if a deep shift had occurred in her personality. Before she had seemed nothing but bored and disconnected, detached with her surroundings. Now she was anxious for fun.
Mary and I followed Violet through the busy streets leading to the central market. I remembered the man who owned the tea stall. He had given Caeldra and me free tea just because we were with the Champions of Liberty. There had been such deep respect then, such disconnection and reverence between our two underground organizations. But all of that was gone now, the bonds of friendship and trust shattered and discarded like garbage. I wondered if he would still be at the market selling his tea. There would be no free samples this time, but that was okay. Memories of Caeldra flared. Our time here had meant so much to me; it still did. If things were different, if there was still some remnant of peace, I would have loved to take Mary to Emerald’s, the tavern I had stayed at with Caeldra when recovering from my surgery. Just one night away from all the chaos would have been perfect, one night to try to forget everything that now shaped who we were.
Despite how much I had eaten earlier, my stomach grumbled as we walked. The thought of fried fish dripping with grease and beer as I bit into it was almost too much to deal with. I would have to spend a few of my ingots at the market on some food, that much was certain.
“You’ve never been to a market before?” I asked Violet. “This one is a lot different than the ones the Slums used to have, obviously.”
“I was never a legal citizen of New York. I lived my entire childhood underground and didn’t actually get to see the Slums until I was seventeen,” she said.
“Really?” Mary asked. We had to raise our voices now as foot traffic grew dense and conversations flared around us. We were walking amongst all sorts of people and robots. Some were well dressed, and others were wearing little more than dirty rags, holding plastic cups and bowls and beggaring for scraps of anything that could be traded in the market. Life of a beggar was probably a lot more complicated here. They would have to be a lot more resourceful with their trading to survive since there wasn’t a universal currency accessible to the public.
A colossal robot with a gauss cannon welded to its arm pushed past me, carving an inconsiderate path through the complaining crowd. It was a towering monstrosity crudely welded together with the remnants of countless robots in a blocky mass that somewhat resembled the shape of a giant human. The Scavenger Guild emblem was proudly emblazoned on its barrel-like chest for all to see in bright yellow paint. The robot’s head was a tall cylinder of battered black metal covered in an impossible amount of miniature optical systems, making the entire thing look like some kind of hundred-eyed monster as it strode through the foot traffic with heavy hydraulic thuds.
“They just let something like that walk around?” Violet asked in awe as the robot turned into an alley and disappeared into the shadows.
“I haven’t ever seen one like that, but yes. The Scavenger Guild owned that one, or at least it works for them,” I said.
“That’s terrifying. I wouldn’t want to fight that thing.”
I smiled. “I think that’s probably the point. That cannon would probably turn most things into a puddle.”
We continued into the market where merchants, human and robot alike, hawked their wares and pointed to charts pinned to their stalls advertising exchange rates in popular commodities used for trade. It turned out our ingots were highly sought after, apparently used in the production of high-grade robotic components.
“Where did you get the ingots?” Mary asked Violet.
“Traded Jasper for them. He said if we were going to the market they would be the best thing to have. Closest thing we’ll get to currency here, and they should be easy to spend.”
Powerful aromas drifted through the crowd and reached me. I smelled roasting meat, fried foods, and powerful spices. It was all too much for me.
“Can we get some food?” I asked, scanning the stalls for the cluster where the savory food was being prepared.
“It hasn’t been that long since we last ate,” Mary complained, but she was smiling. “If we get you some food, you’ll come shopping with us?”
“Sounds like a pretty good deal to me,” I said, returning the smile.
Violet shrugged. “I just want the market shopping experience. I can eat again, so lead the way.”
I followed my nose, ignoring the stalls we passed which were selling anything other than food. When we reached the food stalls, I bought a cup full of salty noodles with roasted eel, a basket of fish and chips, and a seared eel sausage hefted on a bun piled with caramelized onions and smothered in mustard. Mary and Violet settled on a more modest meal of fish and chips with malt vinegar, salt, and ketchup and seemed skeptical of the food they were about to love. We found a quiet place to eat, sitting at one of the small colorful tables to the side of the food stalls.
“You’re sure this is good?” Mary asked me, picking up a steaming piece of fish and studying it. Violet didn’t look too eager to eat her food either, now that we actually had it.
“Doesn’t look too good,” Violet commented, holding her fish in a similar way.
I couldn’t help but laugh as I chewed a huge bite of fish. I swallowed the food and washed it down with some water. “Violet, you eat fungus every day. Granted it isn’t as bad as you would think, but still. This is good, trust me. It’s too good, even.”
Both of them seemed genuinely pleased once they started eating. After finishing the snack-sized portions they had purchased, they decided they would need to get more food while I continued to eat, relishing my gluttonous feast.
Someone in the crowd took an immediate interest in Mary and Violet, pivoting on quick feet and striding toward them. I set my half-eaten eel dog down and rested my hand on the pathetic handgun I wore on my belt, preparing to intervene as I watched him with increasing distrust. The man was dressed in ragged clothes covered in soot and didn’t look like he had any association with the Scavenger Guild. I followed him with my eyes, expecting the worst only to be pleasantly surprised when he walked off in a completely different direction. It was nothing but coincidence. I wasn’t quite able to turn my guard off, but that was probably for the best.
I turned my attention back to the eel sausage I was eating which was proving to be quite the formidable foe. By the time Mary and Violet returned, I was finished with all of my meals and was ready for a nap. The sounds of the crowd blended together into a lulling murmur, coaxing me toward a food-induced slumber while the girls finished eating.
“Jake? Did you hear me?” Mary asked.
“Huh? No,” I said, suddenly aware of my surroundings again.
“We’re done eating. Are you ready to walk around the market?”
I groaned, trying to get to my feet. I wasn’t ready to walk around the market; I was still ready for that nap. My determination to get my money’s worth, or rather Violet’s money’s worth, was taking its toll on my now lethargic body.
“Sure, let’s shop.” I decided to get up and try to walk it off.
We walked around the market for some time. Violet and Mary bought some things, but I hadn’t really found anything of interest to me aside from some of the weapon stalls. However, Violet made it clear we weren’t allowed to shop there.
Violet bought a pair of earrings, and Mary bought a new scarf from a vendor while I scanned the stalls for the tea merchant I remembered so fondly. Other stalls caught my attention, some selling strange trinkets and oddities they had ornately crafted from whatever was on hand. Some sold fishing baubles made from shaped glass and glittering circuit boards cut into geometric shapes. I spent
one of my ingots on a rectangular paperweight made of transparent resin. Inside, a helix of small paper-like squares blew away from a small desk filled to the brim with books, pens, and other supplies. I bought it for Mary while she and Violet browsed one of the stalls I had no interest in and planned on giving it to her later as a gift. I stuffed it in my backpack, finding a nice elastic slot to store it after moving my bulky jacket out of the way.
I looped back around toward some of the stalls near the food carts and a woman called out to me. “I saw how much food you just ate, young man.”
I turned around to face the old woman who was hunched over a table filled with pots and canisters of tea boiling over rusted burners with glowing orange coils. I saw sugar, honey, and milk on the table as well, identical to the setup I remembered from years ago. I was surprised I hadn’t seen the stall earlier.
“I was hoping no one saw that,” I admitted, walking closer and smiling.
“My husband could eat like that back in the day,” she said, a smile tugging on the corners of her wrinkled lips.
“I’d like to say I regret it, but it was worth it,” I said, laughing.
She laughed with me. “Do you like tea?”
“Yes, I do. It has been a while since I’ve had good tea, though. I see you sell bags to take home as well?” I asked, pointing to the plastic bags resting next to the boiling pots.
“Yes, my husband used to run this stall together. I made the tea mixes and looked after our trees and he ran the stall. I have to do everything myself since he passed, but I love being out here.”
“Has your stall been open for a while? I visited this market over three years ago and bought a bag of tea from a man who might have been your husband,” I said.
She nodded. “That had to be him. We are the only ones in River’s Port who have ever sold tea here.”
“He was a very kind man. I was actually looking for this stall earlier, and I’m surprised I didn’t see it. Your husband gave my friend and me a free cup of tea.”
She frowned. “He was always such a shrewd businessman. That doesn’t really sound like him. Did he give you a reason why?”
I nodded, taking a look around the market to make sure there was no one listening. I moved in closer. “I was wearing my jacket when I visited the market. I was with the Champions of Liberty at the time,” I said, careful to word it in past tense.
A puzzled expression covered her face. “Were or are with the Champions?”
“It’s complicated,” I admitted. “Still with, I suppose, just having to work with another organization for the time being in order to protect one of our own and recover some valuable assets.”
“I can respect that. Yes, we both admired what the Champions did. I don’t believe everything we have been told recently is true, but I also know we have been lucky here in River’s Port and everyone else has it a lot harder right now.”
“Yeah, it reminds me of the old way of life. I can see why you like it here. I’ve come to learn you have to take every opportunity you can to enjoy the little things, because I’ve learned the hard way it can all be taken away in the blink of an eye.”
“Such wisdom for such a young man,” she considered. “If I can tell you something I’ve learned in my years, it’s that we all need love. Never forget to tell those you care for how much you love them. One day you might not be able to tell them and will have to live with that regret for the rest of your life.”
“Thank you,” I said, finding my eyes drift to Mary who was still shopping a few stalls down, smiling and laughing with Violet as they tried on ridiculous clothes.
“Please, I know my husband would want you to have a bag of tea,” she said, picking up one of the bags and passing it across the table to me. Her hand was veiny and frail from age, and she smiled weakly as pain and sweet remembrance danced in her beautiful eyes.
“Actually, this isn’t my money and I would love to help you,” I said, producing all of my ingots of metal and placing them into her hands. “Is it okay if I buy three bags of tea with this?” I asked.
Tears were welling in her eyes as she took the ingots. “Of course. Are you sure I can’t make change for you?”
“It isn’t necessary. I’m glad I got to visit you, and thank you for the tea. I wish you all the best.”
“Thank you, and good luck on your endeavors. I believe in you and the rest of the Champions to make things better for everyone.”
I thanked the woman again and went to rejoin Mary and Violet.
By the end of the trip, I had a respect for Violet that hadn’t been there before. She wasn’t a bad person, and she was dealing with her own issues and the problems of being born into something she didn’t necessarily believe in. She had opened up some, and there was a strange but welcome friendship beginning to bud between the three of us. I didn’t resist it either. There was no reason to not get to know the people we would be traveling with for the next month. It would be good to have her on our side, especially with how unpredictable Grez was.
We settled back into the lobby of Jasper’s business, still having time to spare. I wanted to talk to Marwin, but he and Grez were busy talking outside still. Fortunately, it seemed both men were calm and Marwin’s insight may have been welcomed this time. I settled into the couch with Mary, reclining my head on a pillow and preparing to take one of the best naps of my life.
A deafening crash boomed outside and a powerful shockwave rippled through the ground beneath my feet. A horrible, stunned silence followed.
10 DESTRUCTION
∆∆∆
We ran outside, searching for the source of the noise. It didn’t take long to spot it. A towering wave of dust surged toward the city from the Greater Lift we hadn’t used, swallowing everything it touched. There was something else drowning out the screams from the city, a loud droning sound I knew all too well. Enforcer Dropships roared overhead, flying past us toward the industrial district. This was a full-scale invasion.
Marwin grabbed my shoulder, pushing me forward toward Grez. Dropships flooded in from the now destroyed Greater Lift, but they didn’t seem to be shooting yet.
“We need to get to the turbo trucks and get the cargo down here before they make a pass and take out the boats!” Grez yelled to the group.
Jasper and his two robots looked frantic and were inspecting the tethers on their boats, keeping a close watch on the airspace above the city for more dropships while they tried to accomplish last minute checks on their equipment and rigs.
“Jasper, don’t let anyone take the boats! We need to get our stuff then we’re getting out of the city,” Grez shouted as he pulled his rifle from his back and activated some of his armor mods to boost his defenses.
“There’s no way we’re going to make it! They’re going to overrun River’s Port and we won’t have time to load everything!” Violet yelled at Grez. The turbo trucks were over a mile away from the eastside docks, but it didn’t look like Grez was relenting in his plan. Instead of discussing it further, he clenched his jaw and turned away from Violet.
“Everyone, on me! Stick to the sides of buildings and call out when you see dropships or enemy bots. If anyone or anything gets in your way, shoot them,” he roared, starting back toward the city with his assault rifle raised. I drew my handgun and knife, following behind the well-armed squad.
There were swarms of Enforcers in the streets, sliding down lines of cable dropped from stationary dropships hovering over the buildings. They weren’t shooting civilians, though. Instead, they were herding them back indoors, using non-lethal force when needed while they worked on controlling the scrambling crowds of panicked people. Our group chipped away at their numbers when there was a clear shot, making our way toward the edge of the industrial district where our turbo trucks were parked.
The dropships weren’t shooting yet, but it didn’t mean they wouldn’t. There were more of them flying overhead every second endlessly deploying Enforcers. It didn’t matter to Grez, and it w
as clear he wouldn’t give up his plans even with the inherent flaws. We had over a mile to travel through crowded streets filled with people and Enforcers. We would also make appealing targets for the dropships as soon as we started driving through the city. Even if it did somehow work and we made it back to Jasper’s boats, we’d have to load all our gear then escape the city before it was lost. That, or we’d need to take a stand and try to repel the invasion, saving the city and leaving shortly after with our haul.
We hadn’t encountered any HKs, but the rifles the Enforcers used were no joke, even if Enforcers were a slower and less armored than the assassin bots. The dropships were the main issue. They had superior firepower, and there were a ton of them in River Port’s airspace now, swarming around like angry insects.
One of the soldiers in front of me staggered in place as energy bolts from a dropship cut through his armor, disintegrating him. The stream of bolts shifted, cutting up the concrete around us and spitting ozone-charged dust into the air. I pulled Mary into an alleyway while the rest of the group dove for cover behind a concrete and brick wall in front of one of the apartment buildings. Mary and I rushed down the alleyway and trying to get to cover. I didn’t know exactly where I was going, but we had to loop back around and meet up with the group at the edge of the industrial district. It was impossible for us to imitate River’s Port civilians with the way we were dressed, making us clear targets for the Enforcers with our heavy armor. We needed to get out of the city, but this plan was looking worse by the second.
“Do you know where we’re going?” Mary yelled over the screaming and gunfire echoing through River’s Port.