The Narrow Path To War

by D L Frizzell

  Alex did not make a move for the third glass. Niko pushed it closer to him. “Have a drink, son.”

  “Thanks. Uh,” Alex hesitated, not sure what he was accepting.

  “It's my private reserve,” Niko tossed the cork into a nearby garbage can, a customary sign that the bottle should be emptied. “I make it myself.” Seneca drained his glass. He had the bottle in his hand for a refresher moments later, despite the sour look on his face.

  Alex knew it would be impolite to refuse anything set before him, so he picked up the glass. He raised it to his mouth, pausing for a moment to catch any odor it might have. There was none. As straight-faced as possible, he took a drink and swallowed it as casually as he could muster. “Thanks,” he said, then placed the glass back on the table. Seneca raised an eyebrow when Alex said nothing else. He simply sat there with a blank look on his face.

  Niko peered at Alex briefly before changing the subject. “So,” he said to Seneca, “you took the troops on an unscheduled field trip today, colonel. What’s going on?”

  “Jugs, I’m afraid,” Seneca answered. Niko winced. “They took a hostage and tortured him. Fortunately, Deputy Vonn here found them and ran them off before it was too late. Now it looks like they’re making a run to the Crumbles.”

  Alex appreciated that the colonel gave him credit for what he did. Though he wanted to elaborate on the circumstances, he instead had to concentrate on keeping his eyes from watering. The foul drink had hit his throat like acid, coated his stomach in liquid heat and churned his insides like nothing he had ever experienced before. The best he could do was nod in response to Seneca.

  “Also,” Seneca continued, “One of our other citizens disappeared about the same time, a Jovian that goes by the name of Norio. The Guile considers him a deserter, apparently, and he's looking to bring him home for judgment.”

  “You had a Jovian living in the city?” Niko threw Seneca a confused look.

  “Yes,” Alex said after clearing his throat. “He’s lived in the city as a gardener for the last eight years.”

  “That's a long time to look for a deserter,” Niko said.

  “The Jovians don’t have a reputation as a forgiving people,” Seneca replied. “I wouldn't put it past them. Still, eight years is a long time to hold a grudge, even for them."

  “I've never heard of them coming so far into our land before,” Niko said.

  “Certainly not in the last ten years,” Seneca replied. “Marshal Redland thinks they may have stumbled upon Norio when they were trying to complete a different mission."

  “And you think they’re headed back to the Crumbles with Norio as their prisoner?” Niko asked as he took another sip.

  “Not a prisoner,” Alex replied. “Norio left town before the Jugs couldn’t find him."

  Niko paused as he reached for the bottle again. "Then what were they doing here in the first place?"

  "We think they were looking to see if we're stockpiling electronic weapons,” Seneca answered.

  Niko sat forward, his interest piqued. "Well...are we?"

  "No," Seneca shook his head. "But that doesn't mean they don't believe it."

  “I doubt this Norio person is a concern," Zand decided. “Unless he’s a complete idiot, he went either south or east. That takes him out of the picture. If the Jugs found him, he's dead and that takes him out of the picture, too. What really interests me is how they think we have electronic weapons.”

  “That would be my fault,” Alex said. “I electrocuted one of them with a jury-rigged coil.”

  “It doesn’t matter what the details are,” Seneca told him. “You could have hit them with a frying pan, and they would go back to report you scorched them with God’s own lightning.”

  “They’ve been twitchy like that for a hundred years, though,” Zand said. “Why would they turn up the heat now?”

  “Nobody knows,” Seneca shrugged. “Anyway, Redland told me he found tracks coming this direction. We should have about two weeks to set up a skirmish line and intercept them. Our objective is to keep them from reaching the Crumbles, pure and simple.”

  “Alright,” Zand nodded. “I'll see about getting you accommodations at the Blue Dot.”

  “Sounds good,” Seneca replied. “Alex, why don’t you go out and freshen up your horse. I’ve got some details to hammer out with the ranger. Oh, and if you could tell Private Strapp to get me an update on the trucks, I’d appreciate it. He's the tall skinny one that was driving the first truck.”

  Alex knew by the look on Seneca’s face it wasn’t a suggestion, so he stood to leave.

  “Can I ask a question?” Alex said to Niko.

  “Sure,” Niko said, putting a leg up on the table and leaning back in his chair.

  “What is that stuff?” He pointed at the bottle.

  With a wicked grin, Niko answered, “Sap.”

  “What?” Alex wiped his mouth with a sleeve. “Isn’t that flammable, or poisonous, or flammable?”

  “This is way too under-proofed for that,” Niko answered, reaching for the bottle again. “You’ve had syrup on your pancakes before, right?”

  Alex nodded.

  “Same thing, sort of.”

  “Am I going to be drunk?”

  “On this stuff? Nah, you haven't had enough,” Niko waved his hand. “This is what it tastes like before it’s been aggressively fermented. I save the strong stuff for special occasions.”

  Alex put his hat on and left, his displeasure easily read by the other men. When the door closed behind him, they waited a minute and laughed.

  “That is one green kid you got there, Colonel.”

  “No doubt about that,” Seneca replied. “Smart as anyone I ever met, but not well-versed in people skills.”

  “He seems likable enough," Niko said. "He may just need to do the job for a while, get some experience under his belt.”

  "You're probably right," Seneca said.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Two days later, Alex walked toward the ranger station with Private Bryden Strapp. He was easily four inches taller than Alex, but just as thin. He walked beside Alex, carrying a load of supplies for the other soldiers.

  "I never heard of Bogfield before," Alex told him.

  "Eh," Strapp said, "most folks wouldn’t go there. It's not exactly a vacation spot." He didn't wait for Alex to ask why. "It smells pretty bad there."

  "Because of the bog, I guess?"

  "Pretty much."

  "Then why live there?" Alex asked.

  "Oil wells," Strapp said. "My dad's gotta stake in the business there. One of the few oil fields on this side of the Crumbles."

  "Oil?" Alex asked. "I thought everybody used sap for their engines."

  “It’s the oil that makes sap so valuable,” Strapp explained, and jumped into the explanation he’d heard his father give customers many times. “Raw sap burns as well as gasoline ever did. It takes a lot more heat to make it ignite, though. It also leaves a sticky residue behind, like glue. If that’s all we had, sap would be useless.” He shifted the weight of his duffel, “Even perfectly refined sap would cause an engine to seize up after a while. But with a small amount of oil added to it, it lights up at a lower temperature and gets slicker than bog-dog snot.”

  Alex liked Strapp. He had an easy-going demeanor that reminded him of Cale. “When we get back to Celestial City, I want you to meet some friends of mine,” Alex said. “You’d like them, Bryden.”

  When they reached the ranger station, Alex helped Bryden arrange the supplies on the shelves. Colonel Seneca and Ranger Zand entered as they finished. Strapp jumped to attention. Alex wasn’t sure if he was supposed to do that himself. Maybe he'd try the opposite reaction and see what happened. He put his hands in his pockets and leaned against a bunk.

  “At ease, Private,” Seneca told Strapp, throwing a look of disapproval at Alex. Bryden put his hands behind his back and spread his feet, though it seemed to Alex he was just standing at a different form
of attention. He was glad he wasn't a soldier.

  “Deputy,” Seneca addressed Alex formally. “It looks like we have a matter that needs the attention of the Marshal's Office.”

  “What is it, Colonel?”

  “It seems Ranger Zand has a prisoner that needs to be transported back to Ovalsheer for trial,” Seneca said. “Since we're pretty well settled in Edgewood now, it's about time you performed some of your regular duties."

  “That’s not why I’m here,” Alex argued. “I joined this party to find the Jugs that tortured Cale and sent Norio into hiding.”

  “I'll explain,” Seneca said with a practiced calm. “I know in your brief time as deputy you've had,” he paused for emphasis, “limited training from marshal Redland, so let me shed some light on some of your job responsibilities.”

  Alex fumed silently. He knew Seneca didn't want him along on the mission, but this was a low blow.

  “One of the duties of a marshal,” Seneca told him, “is the transportation of prisoners from outlying territories that do not have the facilities to detain them. Ranger Zand has one such prisoner in his jail. Another duty of a deputy is to report status to their superiors as the situation allows. Since we expect the jugs will not arrive for another two weeks, it gives you an opportunity to report our status to the Council.”

  “Everything will be over by the time I get back!” Alex blurted.

  “We are fully staffed to deal with them,” Seneca continued, undaunted. “This frees you up to perform your mandatory duties.”

  “You can’t order me to leave,” Alex stood his ground.

  “I am the ranking militia officer in this territory,” Seneca replied. “You are an official agent of the Alliance Council, Deputy. You deal in law enforcement matters, and I have just informed you of an issue that requires your attention. The situation in Edgewood is a military operation, which you have no jurisdiction over. Now, we do appreciate all the help you've given us over the last several days, so once you've concluded your primary duties, you are most welcome to return here.” Seneca was not a man who enjoyed playing the tough guy. That didn’t stop him when when he believed the situation warranted it.

  "You mean the prisoner who's been here for over a week?" Alex snapped. He glanced at Strapp, who, except for being red-faced with discomfort, stood like a statue by his bunk.

  "That's the one," Seneca replied.

  Alex glared at Seneca. He was tempted to argue, but after spending the last few days with the militia, he knew that the soldiers thought the world of their commander. He would accomplish nothing by challenging his authority in front of them. He would just have to do the job and get back before the jugs arrived. "Prisoner transport it is, then," he said coldly. "I imagine I'll get a horse for the prisoner to ride on?"

  “I’m afraid not,” Niko answered. “She rode in on a bug mule. We don’t have a spare horse to give you, so she’ll need to ride the mule at least as far as Celestial City.”

  “Of course,” Alex said, careful to keep all traces of emotion from his voice. He did not feel emotionless, however. “I’ll need some supplies for the trip, ranger. I'll be leaving immediately.”

  “I’ll see to it myself,” Niko replied, avoiding eye contact. Seneca and Zand left, leaving Alex and Strapp alone.

  "Wow," Bryden said. "He must have a really good reason to want you out of here."

  "None that I know of," Alex said, "but it doesn't matter. I have a better reason to be here when the Jugs arrive."

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Alex checked his saddlebags in silence. Zand brought the bug mule out of the livery stable and led it over to Alex's horse. It was dirtier than it was when Kate rode in on it the week before, with particles of hay and straw now embedded in its scales. The leather straps and saddlebags Kate brought to Edgewood were rolled into a bundle as evidence and lashed to the animal's hind quarters. She would still ride in the saddle but would not have control of the reins. The ranger tied the mule's trunks with a makeshift bridle, then attached it to Alex's saddle.

  Niko gave Alex a complete inventory and a report of the charges she faced. He explained the rules of prisoner transport to Alex, then made suggestions how to travel with a bug mule in tow. The bug mule pulled against the leash, lowing huskily, though not with any significant effort. Alex wondered if something was wrong with it.

  "Is this thing hungry?" He asked Niko.

  "It didn't eat anything from its last meal, so I don't think so," Niko shrugged. "It didn't seem thirsty, either. I don't think they like being cooped up, so maybe it's just restless. I'm sure it'll relax once it starts walking again."

  "Right," Alex said. He looked at the bug mule. He had never seen one up close before. It wrung its trunks together like a person with a case of nerves. Otherwise it gave no indication anything was wrong.

  “One more thing,” Niko said softly, glancing back at the jail. “Your prisoner is Kate Runaway. Have you heard of her?”

  “No,” Alex answered, catching the guilty look on Niko’s face as he thought of a way to explain her. “Is she dangerous?”

  “Well, no. She’s just…odd,” Niko said. “She’s what some people call ‘sun-baked'. She’s been out in the desert so much that her mind is,” he searched for the right word and gave up. “She’s been known to drive people a little crazy with the way she talks. It's probably better if you don't try to make conversation."

  "Okay."

  Niko rubbed his forehead before continuing. “And she hears voices.”

  “Oh,” Alex replied.

  “I’m really sorry about this,” Niko said. “I would take her to the city myself if we didn’t have this current situation. She’s always been civil with my wife and me, all things considered.”

  “The trip should be interesting. Thanks for warning me, Ranger.”

  “Call me Niko,” Zand insisted, and waited an awkward moment when Alex didn’t respond. “I guess I’d better go get her.” He walked back into the ranger station and led Kate out. She had on the same dusty outfit she had when she arrived, hood up, with her hair sticking out around the edges. The lenses on her goggles were clean, showing Alex nothing but his own reflection. When he looked at her, she cocked her head to one side.

  She had shackles binding her hands together, so Niko helped her up onto the mule. She did not resist, and he was careful to make sure she didn’t fall off. She ran her fingers over the mule's scales, not saying a word. When Niko was sure she was settled, he returned to Alex.

  “I guess I’ll be going then,” Alex said, mounting his horse.

  “You’re a good kid, Alex,” he said. “You’re welcome back here any time you like. Oh, and here,” He pulled a small flask out of his vest and gave it to Alex. “This is a little saddle-warming gift. It’s some of the strong stuff, so it will take some getting used to.”

  “Thanks.” Alex put the flask in his vest, perfunctorily tipped his hat, and nudged his horse forward. An extra tug by Alex’s horse got the bug mule moving. As Kate passed Niko, she tilted her head and glared at him. He stared back, still baffled by her but hoping she would be okay. She shook her head in disgust and turned away from him.

  Seneca walked out of the ranger station to see them off. He hadn't spoken to Alex since ordering him to leave, and was surprised that Alex took to the duty so quickly, if not with enthusiasm - it had only been an hour since he was given the assignment.

  "Good luck, Alex," Seneca said.

  "I'll be back in two weeks," Alex called over his shoulder. He spurred his horse on, despite the bug mule's complaints.

  Chapter Thirty

  Alex was not happy with their progress. Only halfway to Maglev Canyon, they had slowed to a complete stop. He dismounted his horse and watched the bug mule rock back and forth. What little he knew about the animal was useless. He had offered it grass, water, even a potato. It just would not walk any more.

  “She needs a break,” Kate said.

  “It sat in the corral the whole time it
was in Edgewood,” Alex argued. “You were there for a week. That’s not it.”

  “We need to give her a break,” she repeated.

  With no other ideas, Alex threw his hands up in defeat. “Fine.” He moved the saddlebags off the mule and set them on the ground nearby. Next, he pulled Kate off the saddle, walked her to the far side of the road and warned her to stay put. He turned around and unbuckled the strap that held the saddle on and lifted it off the animal’s back.

  Something hit Alex in the back of the head, hurting so much his knees buckled. Consciousness threatened to abandon him as he felt himself slump over the mule. He closed his eyes to shut out the pain. When he opened them, he was on his hands and knees, staring at the saddle on the ground next to him. He pulled himself up by holding onto the jagged surfaces of the bug mule’s scales, then moved sluggishly behind the animal, leaning against it for balance. His thoughts and vision muddled, he couldn’t yet perceive what had happened. The need to run crossed his mind, but the best he could do was stumble. He reached through the haze and found himself separated from the bug mule. Without the animal for support, he staggered into the grass fell a few steps before everything went dark.

  Alex woke up to the smell of grass. It had cushioned his impact with the ground, though he felt a raw spot where his cheek hit the hardest. His arms were at his sides, and as he came fully awake, he knew that he hadn’t tried to catch himself when he fell.

  Kate had attacked him. That must have been what happened. He rolled onto his back and grabbed for his weapons but found them missing. He looked up and saw Kate standing there, her hands still shackled together, pointing both the gun and falcata at him. At her feet sat a rock the size of her hand. Alex cursed himself for turning his back on her.

  “Back away,” she said to him flatly, waving the gun at his chest. He held his hands up in surrender.