by G. T. Spoor
“Excuse me,” she called out to a small group of men. “Can any of you help me? I’m looking for a steward by the name of Brain Macias.”
A tall, lean man with long blond hair was the first to turn around. He smiled when he saw them approach. “Figures,” he said. “Brian gets all the good-looking girls.” He turned toward the docks and stretched his neck to look over the heads of the crew. “That’s him over there.” He pointed. “Brian! There’s a couple of girls looking for you.”
Brian turned around and the smile dropped from his face when he saw who it was—he took off running.
“Hey, stop,” Emily shouted. She looked at Sarah. “I’ll meet you back at the apartment.” In no time, Emily was off chasing after him.
He left the shipyard by jumping the fence, but Emily was close behind him. She no longer had any doubts he was involved in her abduction; but she had to catch him and find out how much he knew. She chased him down the sidewalk as he pushed people out of his way. It wasn’t until he ran across the street and was almost hit by a lorry that she knew where he was heading. He was trying to reach the transit station. If he got onto one of those tubes, she’d lose him for sure.
She followed him into the lobby but lost him in the crowd. It took her a few moments to spot his bright white uniform pushing its way to one of the gates. By the time she reached him, he was already at the front of the line. She tried to grab him, but a dower stood in her way.
“Ticket.”
“Ticket?” she asked.
“This tube is going up. You need a ticket.”
Emily could only watch as Brian disappeared down the tunnel leading to the platform. She looked down at the dower blocking her path. “I don’t have a ticket.”
“You can’t get on without a ticket.”
“Please, I don’t want to ride the tube. I have to stop that man.”
The dower shook his head. “Sorry, miss. I can’t let you pass without a ticket.”
Emily cursed.
“Please, miss. You’re holding up the line,” the dower said.
The people behind her were already annoyed. Probably didn’t enjoy being pushed aside by a madman running for the tube. Turning away, Emily started back toward the lobby and suddenly reversed course. If she could get past the dower, she didn’t think he would come after her. His job was to guard the gate, but getting past him wasn’t that easy. The dower’s thick arm shot across the opening before she could get through. It was like hitting an iron bar. The dower never flinched.
“No ticket, no ride,” he said calmly.
So much for the direct approach. There was no getting through this way.
Returning to the lobby, she looked around for another means of getting on the platform. She had to get on that tube, but buying a ticket was out of the question. The ticket booths were already thirty passengers deep. Even if she could afford one, she’d probably have to wait for the next tube and there was no telling what tier Brian would get off at. Going over the gate was another option, but it wouldn’t go unnoticed. They’d be on her before she could reach the tunnel. That’s when she spotted a small group of orcs.
They were dressed in gray coveralls and loitering around one of the unguarded gates. Maintenance crew on a cigarette break. Like most orcs, they were ignored by the vir. This could be her best chance at getting by the dower unseen. Making sure she hadn’t raised too much suspicion, she casually walked over to where they were standing. One of them noticed her approaching and made a gesture to alert the others. It was clear they didn’t trust her, and from what Tar had told her the other day, she couldn’t blame them. Most vir believed they were above the orcs in the unspoken hierarchy of New Doral.
One of the orcs stepped forward. He took a long drag on his cigarette, then, much to her surprise, put it out on the back of his hand.
A very effective intimidation tactic.
She stopped about six feet in front of him. He didn’t say anything. Probably wasn’t allowed to speak to a vir unless spoken to first. He didn’t have to say anything though; the look he was giving her spoke volumes.
Clasping her hands together, she bowed. “Can you help me, sir?”
The stern look was replaced by one of confusion. It would appear a show of respect was the last thing he expected. He turned to his companions and shrugged. They seemed amused by the situation.
“I need to get on that tube before it leaves,” Emily said.
The orc’s eyes narrowed. “So, buy a ticket.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have much money, and I don’t have much time.”
The dower was already locking the gate. He would start his trip down the tunnel soon. After that, it wouldn’t be long before the tube departed. If it left without her, there would be no way of following Brian.
“Why do ya need to get on that one?” the orc asked.
“I don’t have time to explain.”
“Make time.”
Emily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Patience, she reminded herself. The orcs were not her enemy. “There’s a man on that tube who may be responsible for people disappearing. I need to follow him and find out what he knows.”
“Vir you mean.” The orc snorted. “Vir are disappearing.”
“Yes. As far as I know, only vir.”
“So. Why should we help you? What’s in it for us?”
It was a fair question, one she didn’t have an answer for.
“It’s true,” she said. “You have no reason to help me. I’ve seen the way you’re treated in New Doral, and I am sorry for that. I can only do what I can do, and right now it’s trying to stop that man from hurting anyone else.” She held her hands out. “Please.”
It was that last word she used that did it. The orc’s mood changed. She could see it in his eyes. He wasn’t mean or cruel. He appeared tired. Looking back at his companions, they seemed to agree with him.
“Very well,” he said. “Follow us and keep close.”
Opening the gates, the orcs surrounded Emily, effectively hiding her from sight. They made their way toward the tunnel. One of their number broke off and confronted the dower, delaying him long enough to allow the others to pass without issue. When they reached the platform, they waited until the last passenger boarded, then led Emily up to the tube. One of the orcs even helped her get on.
“Thank you,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do to repay the favor…”
“Yeah. Right. Just… good luck.”
She secured herself in the last seat and started looking for Brian. She found him three sections up. His bright white uniform was making it too easy. The orcs moved away from the tube as the dower climbed on. He glanced over at her, but if he recognized her from the gate, he didn’t say anything. He simply grabbed hold of the vertical rod and blew the signal on his whistle.
Three short notes followed by three long.
The tube lurched forward and darkness descended as they entered the tunnel. The dower lit his lantern and held it aloft as they bounced along on the track. Emily grabbed hold of the vertical rod beside her and kept an eye on Brian. There was no way she was going to let him out of her sight. He made no indication he saw her board, which meant he might have thought he lost her. That gave her an advantage. If she was lucky, he would lead her all the way to Squeaky Voice.
It was a good ten minutes before the dower extinguished the lantern. Emily leaned forward, squinting into the darkness. If Brian was going to make his move, this would be the best time, but he remained seated. As they entered the station and the lights filled the tube, Emily flattened herself against the back of the seat. Most of the passengers started filing out and she had to weave back and forth to keep an eye on Brian through the gaps in the line of people. Although he remained seated, he seemed nervous. His right leg was twitching.
The dower glanced over at her one more time before jumping down from the rear of the tube. She was sure he recognized her, but he still didn’t say anything. Maybe he didn’t care
, or maybe he was going to get the authorities. If she understood the security problems of New Doral, that meant she might have to deal with a couple of Mercs. Of course, that all depended on how well the station paid them.
After a few minutes of nothing, passengers began boarding again. They quickly filled up the empty seats. Brian made no attempt to leave. When everyone was seated, the dower returned. He climbed back to his spot but didn’t look at Emily this time. He simply grabbed the vertical rod and blew the signal. The tube lurched forward into the darkness once again. The dower held up the lantern, and they spent another ten minters bouncing around on the tracks before they reached the next station. This time, before the tube even came to a stop, Brian was on his feet.
He was the first to exit, leaving through the front. Emily jumped off the back. She waited until a few more passengers disembarked, then stayed among them as she followed him up the tunnel. She kept him in sight as they passed through the gate and crossed the lobby floor. He looked over his shoulder a few times, but he never tried to run. He either didn’t see her, or he was making sure she was still following him. This could be another trap, she thought, but if it was, she’d be ready. She still had the metal rods she acquired from the Blue Tigers, although she had yet to figure out how to collapse them. Each one was fully extended and stuffed down one leg of her pants. It made walking a little awkward.
Once out on the streets, Brian headed east. He was moving a little quicker now, like a man with a destination. Emily stayed a few lengths behind him and tried not to act suspicious. There weren’t too many people on the street, which made it harder to stay out of sight. She kept to the shadows as much as possible, avoiding the streetlamps. Brian walked another five blocks before he was joined by a slender man in a green overcoat. He seemed to come out of nowhere. Tall, short black hair. She couldn’t see his face, but he walked with a noticeable limp. Emily slipped into one of the door wells. She was too far away to hear what they were talking about, but from the way Brian was acting, this was not who he wanted to meet. He seemed nervous and kept looking everywhere but at the man in the green overcoat.
Could this be Squeaky Voice?
She needed to get closer.
Stepping out of the door well she slipped behind a lorry and inched her way up to the front wheel. She still wasn’t close enough to hear everything that was being said, but she did catch the odd word. It was something about an artifact, a delivery, and someone by the name of Fat Foh, although, she may have misheard the name. Nevertheless, the man in the green overcoat’s voice didn’t squeak.
As she tried to get closer, a long black vehicle pulled up alongside them. A large orc climbed out of the back seat and motioned for Brian to get in. He seemed reluctant at first but eventually complied. The orc got in after him and pulled the door closed. Overcoat got into the front seat with the driver. Before Emily could do anything, the vehicle was gone and so were her chances of finding Squeaky Voice. Although Brian appeared to know who the men were, he clearly did not wish to go with them.
The encounter left her with more questions than answers.
Who were those men? What did they want with Brian? Did it have anything to do with the slavers? What was the artifact he was supposed to deliver? Then, of course, there was the most pressing question of all: was there really someone out there by the name of Fat Foh?
There was no use following the black vehicle. She had no idea where it was going, and even if she did, she had no way of catching up to it. Brian was on his own, not that she had any inclination to help him. He did poison her and try to sell her into slavery. Little details like that made it hard to forgive him even if it did go against her teachings.
Emily stood in the middle of the street and looked back the way she came. Since she followed Brian up two levels, she must now be on tier eleven, which meant, to get back to the apartment, she’d have to purchase a ticket to ride the tube up to tier ten. The lifts were free, as long as she didn’t go past tier nine, but where would she find a lift?
It was a confusing system.
As she headed back the way she came, and hopefully toward the transit station, an argument across the street caught her attention. Three men appeared to be having a very animated discussion. It wasn’t any of her business, but when she saw two of the men dragged the third into the alley, she decided to make it her business. For one brief moment, she thought they were the same people who had escorted Brian away. That they had, for some unknown reason, done a circular trip around the block only to come back to the same street to finish their conversation. However, upon closer inspection, she knew that wasn’t the case. These men wore long black coats and wide-brimmed hats while their unwilling companion was dressed in a disheveled blue suit.
Was this how all business was conducted in the Chimney? In dark alleys away from the streetlamps? Again, this wasn’t her problem, but then neither were the goblins. It all came down to that pesky tenet about helping those in need. There had to be a better interpretation of that particular lesson, especially when taking New Doral into the equation. Otherwise, this might as well become a full-time occupation. If nothing else, at least she could make up for a few of her past violations.
Emily followed the three men into the alley.
The scene was not unlike her first alley encounter, except there were only two of them this time. One stood off to the side. He was a slim vir with beady eyes and a gaunt face. Tufts of white hair stuck out from under his wide-brimmed hat. He didn’t seem to want to get his hands dirty and watched the violence unfold from a safe distance. The second figure was dressed in black and didn’t have any such misgivings. He was heavyset with broad shoulders, standing well over six feet tall. His back was toward her, so she couldn’t see his face, but she knew he had to be an ogre. Like orcs, they weren’t given a very good reputation, and according to Tar, were even further down New Doral hierarchy.
This ogre was clearly hired as muscle.
Emily decided to hang back and wait to see how things would play out. It was never a good idea to rush into a situation without first understanding what that situation was. Most of the time a conflict could be resolved without the use of violence, especially if the subject of said conflict was over six feet tall. She needed to evaluate the scene first. It didn’t appear she’d have much trouble with the white-haired vir, but the ogre was a completely different story. There were ways of handling larger targets, but they were tricky. One mistake could be one mistake too many.
She watched as the ogre drove a rather large fist into the gut of the vir in the disheveled blue suit. The impact lifted the man off his feet and dropped him to his knees.
The white-haired man looked on with smug satisfaction. He took off his hat and gently dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief. “You know, I don’t wish to do this, Mr. Sinclair.” He said. “This is so… uncivilized.”
The vir in the blue disheveled suit looked up from the ground. He tried to laugh but started coughing instead. “It’s not my first choice either, Mr. Marka.”
“Then why do you insist on making it so difficult?”
“I told you, I needed a little more time.”
“Time? You always need a little more time. I’ve given you more time than you deserve. Do you know how this makes me look? People see you and they think I’ve gone soft. I can’t stay in business if my customers don’t respect me.” He nodded to the ogre. “Again, Lugdum.”
Lugdum grabbed Sinclair by the collar. Yanking him to his feet, he struck him again. Sinclair doubled over, falling backward into the trash cans and landing in a pile of garbage.
“You must understand. This isn’t personal, it’s business,” Marka tried to explain. Turning away so as not to see the carnage, he waved for the ogre to continue. “Lugdum, make an example out of him. Don’t kill him, but make sure he doesn’t walk out of this ally on his own two feet.”
The ogre didn’t hesitate and waded through the garbage toward Sinclair, but the young man was ready for him
this time. Grabbing a lid from one of the trash cans, he struck Lugdum upside the head. The sound of the impact was near deafening as it echoed off the alley walls. The ogre’s hat went flying, but Lugdum didn’t flinch.
There was a moment of awkward silence as the two stared at one another.
Sinclair looked down at the trash can lid he was still holding and quickly dropped it. “Sorry about that,” he said. “No hard feelings? It’s nothing—”
Lugdum grabbed Sinclair’s face.
With one large hand, he lifted the man off the ground and tossed him across the alley. Sinclair bounced three times before hitting the wall.
It was clear from what little of the conversation Emily heard that Mr. Marka and Mr. Sinclair had an agreement, one that Sinclair failed to live up to. Although Mr. Marka might be justified in his actions, she couldn’t stand by and do nothing.
“Ah, excuse me.” She stepped into the alley. “Don’t you think he’s had enough?”
Marka spun around. He seemed both angry and surprised at finding a witness. “Where did you come from?”
“I was just passing by.”
“This is no place for a young lady. You should leave now.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right, but I can’t walk away and let you kill that man.”
“I have no intention of killing him. I only wish to make an example of him.”
“Are you sure? It doesn’t look like your hired muscle got the message.” Emily nodded to where the ogre was poised with his foot over Sinclair’s head.
Marka gasped. “Lugdum. No,” he shouted. “Don’t kill him. Just… maim him a little.”
The ogre rolled his eyes and sighed before reaching down and picking Sinclair up.
“I think you’ve made enough of an example of him,” Emily said.
“This has nothing to do with you, young lady. Please leave.”
“But that’s just it. I can’t. It goes against my teachings.”